System, computer-implemented method, and non-transitory, computer-readable medium to determine relative market value of a sale group of livestock based on genetic merit and other non-genetic factors

ABSTRACT

Systems, computer-readable medium having computer program, and related computer implemented methods are provided to determine the relative market value of a sale group and to generate a genetic merit scorecard. Such systems, computer-readable medium having computer program, and related computer implemented methods utilize the genetic merit estimates of relatives of a sale group, along with associated economic weighting factors to determine the relative market value of the sale group. The genetic merit scorecard reflects the relative market value and ranking of the genetic merits of the sale group, as compared to the industry.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. Nos. 61/811,720, filed on Apr. 13, 2013, 61/822,736, filed on May13, 2013, and 61/860,686 filed on Jul. 31, 2013, all of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to the field ofgenetic quality and relative market value of livestock. Morespecifically, embodiments of the present invention facilitate an owneror potential buyer of one or more sale groups of livestock to evaluatethe relative market value of the sale groups based on predictionsderived from genetic merit estimates of the herd.

2. Description of Related Art

Ranchers invest significant amounts of money to build a quality herdwith the desired genetic merits. Today, ranchers typically invest morethan $10,000 per animal in land, machinery, and livestock costs, andthen invest more money in high quality bulls. But most ranchers are notable to realize the increased value for the quality of their animals andinstead sell their annual calf crops on the commodity market at or nearaverage price. For example, a sale group of calves is valued on manyattributes depending on the ultimate purpose for the calves. The topattributes for cattle that are sold to be developed for slaughter (andnot for breeding) are the tendency to stay healthy and the geneticpotential for growth, carcass merit, and feed efficiency. Additionally,buyers of calves have considerable risk and uncertainty. They prefer tobuy superior calves, but have great difficulty assessing the geneticmerit and future healthiness of the calves at the time of purchase.Therefore, it is very important to determine what the value of thelivestock is and what premium or discount they should command based onthese attributes.

Certain breeding associations like the American Angus Association (AAA)generate genetic merit estimates that predict the relative performanceof offspring of registered animals on traits that predict market value.AAA also generates several dollar denominated indexes based on theexpected progeny differences. These expected progeny differences areusually available only for registered seedstock. For example, one of theindexes from the AAA is Beef Value ($B). This index specificallyrepresents the expected average dollar-per-head difference in theprogeny post-weaning performance and carcass value of a progeny of aparticular registered sire compared to progeny of other sires.

Recently, some companies offer genomic-enhanced EPD, where informationfrom DNA sequences is used to predict calf genetic merit. The AAAlaunched a project with Zoetis to utilize DNA-based information toestimate the marbling and gain characteristics of high percentage,unregistered Angus cattle. For example, the GMX™ Score providesdocumentation to prospective feedlot buyers to assess the relativegenetic merit of calves for both marbling and weight gain.

SUMMARY

The Applicants recognize the importance of determining relative marketvalue of a sale group or a group of animals offered for sale from alivestock operation. Various embodiments of methods and apparatus fordetermining relative market value of a sale group are provided herein.Exemplary embodiments of the present invention include an online geneticmerit scorecard system. This system includes one or more processors, aninput/output unit adapted to be in communication with the one or moreprocessors, one or more genetic merit databases in communication withthe one or more processors to store and associate a plurality of geneticmerit estimates with a plurality of economic weighting factors, one ormore electronic interfaces positioned to display an online genetic meritscorecard and defining one or more genetic merit interfaces, andnon-transitory computer-readable medium. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium is positioned in communication with the one ormore processors and has one or more computer programs stored thereonincluding a set of instructions. This set of instructions when executedby one or more processors cause the one or more processors to performoperations of generating the genetic merit interface to display to auser thereof one or more online genetic merit scorecards, determiningrelative market value and ranking of the genetic merits of the salegroup responsive to receiving the plurality of genetic merit estimatesfrom the one or more genetic merit databases and outputting to the oneor more electronic interfaces the online genetic merit scorecard for thesale group responsive to determining the relative market value and theranking of the genetic merits for the sale group. In certainembodiments, the set of instructions may further include determiningrelative market value for the sale group by use of one or moremultivariate non-linear regression equations based on the plurality ofgenetic merit estimates. The genetic merit interface allows an input ofa plurality of genetic merit estimates associated with a sale group. Thesale group includes cattle that are fed and harvested for beefproduction. The online genetic merit scorecard includes the relativemarket value and one or more rankings of genetic merits of the salegroup.

In some embodiments, the online genetic merit scorecard system includesone or more processors, an input/output unit adapted to be incommunication with the one or more processors, one or more genetic meritdatabases in communication with the one or more processors to store andassociate a plurality of genetic merit estimates with a plurality ofeconomic outcomes and a plurality of economic weighting factors; andnon-transitory computer-readable medium. This non-transitorycomputer-readable medium is positioned in communication with the one ormore processors and having one or more computer programs stored thereonincluding a set of instructions. This set of instructions when executedby one or more processors cause the one or more processors to performoperations of utilizing one or more electronic interfaces positioned todisplay an online genetic merit scorecard and defining one or moregenetic merit interfaces, then determining, by one or more processors, aplurality of economic weighting factors responsive to receiving theplurality of genetic merit estimates from the genetic merit interfacesand economic outcomes from the one or more genetic merit databases. Theinstructions further include determining, by one or more processors,relative market value and ranking of the genetic merits of the salegroup responsive to receiving the plurality of genetic merit estimatesand the plurality of economic weighting factors from the one or moregenetic merit databases and outputting to the one or more electronicinterfaces the online genetic merit scorecard for the sale groupresponsive to determining the relative market value and the ranking ofthe genetic merits for the sale group. The genetic merit interfaceallows an input of a plurality of genetic merit estimates associatedwith a sale group. The sale group includes cattle that are fed andharvested for beef production. The online genetic merit scorecardincludes the relative market value and one or more rankings of geneticmerits of the sale group.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention include a computer-implementedmethod to determine relative market value of a sale group. The salegroup includes cattle that are fed and harvested for beef production.The method includes determining, by one or more processors, a pluralityof economic weighting factors responsive to a plurality of genetic meritestimates associated with the sale group and one or more economicoutcomes, and then determining, by one or more processors, relativemarket value and ranking of the genetic merits of the sale groupresponsive to the plurality of genetic merit estimates and a pluralityof economic weighting factors. The method includes outputting to one ormore electronic interfaces, positioned to display an online geneticmerit scorecard to thereby define one or more genetic merit interfaces,the online genetic merit scorecard for the sale group responsive todetermining the relative market value and the ranking of the geneticmerits of the sale group. The online genetic merit scorecard includesthe relative market value and one or more rankings of genetic merits ofthe sale group being displayed on the one or more genetic meritinterfaces.

In certain embodiments, the online genetic merit scorecard may furtherinclude one or more of documentation of calf management practicesassociated with the sale group positioned to be readily accessible to auser of the one or more electronic interfaces. In certain embodiments,the online genetic merit scorecard may further include one or more ofsource and age identification of the sale group through an USDA approvedprocess positioned to be readily accessible to a user of the one or moreelectronic interfaces.

In certain embodiments, the plurality of genetic merit estimatesassociated with the sale group includes genetic merit estimates of atleast two of the following—average daily gain, carcass weight, marbling,back fat thickness, feed to gain ratio, ribeye area, yield grade,tenderness, percentage of choice, pedigree, breed effects, feed intake,animal health, weaning weight, post weaning weight gain, maintenanceenergy, maternal merit, birth weight, or residual feed intake, residualaverage daily gain, or any linear or non-linear combination of any twoor more of these traits. In certain embodiments, the plurality ofgenetic merit estimates associated with the sale group may be limited togenetic merit estimates of at least two of the following—feed intake,weaning weight, post-weaning weight gain, carcass weight, marbling,ribeye area, and back fat thickness.

In certain embodiments, the plurality of genetic merit estimatesassociated with the sale group includes one or more genetic meritestimates obtained from the relatives of the sale group. In certainembodiments, the relatives of the sale group may include one or moresires of the sale group. In some embodiments, the relatives of the salegroup may include one or more sires of the sale group and one or moregrandsires of the sale group.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention include a computer-implementedmethod to determine a relative market value of a sale group. Anembodiment of this invention includes this computer-implemented methoddetermining the relative market value and a ranking of the geneticmerits of a sale group. This computer implemented method has severalsteps. First, a genetic merit interface is generated to display at oneor more of the plurality of remote computers. This genetic meritinterface allows a user to input a plurality of information associatedwith the sale group and to transmit from a respective remote computerthe plurality of information associated with the sale group to a geneticmerit scorecard system. Then, a relative market value for the sale groupis determined in response to receiving the plurality of informationassociated with the sale group at the respective remote computer. Arelative market value and ranking of the genetic merits of the salegroup may be determined in response to receiving the plurality ofinformation associated with the sale group at the respective remotecomputer. A genetic merit scorecard is generated for the sale group inresponse to determining the relative market value for the sale group. Agenetic merit scorecard may be generated for the sale group in responseto determining the relative market value and ranking of the geneticmerits of the sale group. The genetic merit scorecard may include therelative market value for the sale group and some of the plurality ofinformation associated with the sale group.

The plurality of information associated with the sale group includes atleast one of the following: genetic merit estimates associated with thesale group, performance information of the sale group, performanceinformation from a contemporary group, performance information ofrelatives of the sale group, environmental conditions, managementinformation, and nutritional information.

In another embodiment, the genetic merit estimates associated with thesale group includes at least one of the following: genetic meritestimates of the sale group, genetic merit estimates of relatives of thesale group, and combinations thereof. In an embodiment, the geneticmerit estimates of the sale group are obtained from at least one of thefollowing: biometric measurements, DNA analysis, and Expected ProgenyDifferences of the sale group, and combinations thereof. In anembodiment, the genetic merit estimates of relatives of the sale groupare obtained from at least one of the following: biometric measurements,DNA analysis, Expected Progeny Differences of the relatives of the salegroup, and combinations thereof.

In certain embodiments, the plurality of genetic merit estimatesassociated with the sale group includes one or more genetic meritestimates obtained from the relatives of the sale group. In certainembodiments, the relatives of the sale group may include one or moresires of the sale group. In some embodiments, the relatives of the salegroup may include one or more sires of the sale group and one or moregrandsires of the sale group. In another embodiment, the genetic meritestimates include genetic merit estimates of at least two of thefollowing: average daily gain, carcass weight, marbling, back fatthickness, feed to gain ratio, ribeye area, yield grade, tenderness,percentage of choice, pedigree, breed effects, feed intake, animalhealth, weaning weight, post weaning weight gain, maintenance energy,maternal merit, birth weight, or residual feed intake, residual averagedaily gain, or any linear or non-linear combination of any two or moreof these traits.

In another embodiment, the plurality of genetic merit estimatesassociated with the sale group includes genetic merit estimates of feedintake, weaning weight, post-weaning weight gain, carcass weight,marbling, ribeye area, and back fat thickness.

In an embodiment, the sale group may be composed of a plurality ofanimals of a similar age. In an embodiment, the sale group may becomposed of a plurality of animals whose age and source have beenverified by a certification process. In an embodiment of the invention,the genetic merit scorecard may include documentation of calf managementpractices associated with the sale group and source and ageidentification of the sale group through an USDA approved process, inaddition to the relative market value and/or rankings of the geneticmerits of the sale group.

By way of example, an embodiment of the invention can include acomputer-implemented method to determine a relative market value of asale group. An embodiment of the present invention can include acomputer-implemented method to determine a relative market value andranking of genetic merits of a sale group. In these embodiments, agenetic merit interface is generated to display at one or more of theplurality of remote computers. This genetic merit interface allows auser to input a plurality of genetic merit estimates associated with thesale group and to transmit from a respective remote computer theplurality of genetic merit estimates to a genetic merit scorecardsystem. A relative market value for the sale group is determinedresponsive to receiving the plurality of genetic merit estimates at therespective remote computer. A genetic merit scorecard is generated forthe sale group responsive to determining the relative market value forthe sale group. A genetic merit scorecard may be generated for the salegroup responsive to determining the relative market value and thegenetic merits of the sale group. The genetic merit scorecard mayinclude the relative market value for the sale group and at least onegenetic merit estimate from the plurality of genetic merit estimates. Inan embodiment, the genetic merit scorecard may include ranking of thegenetic merits of the sale group. In another embodiment, the pluralityof genetic merit estimates associated with the sale group comprisesgenetic merit estimates of feed intake, weaning weight, post-weaningweight gain, carcass weight, marbling, ribeye area, and back fatthickness.

By way of example, an embodiment of the present invention can include agenetic merit scorecard system. The genetic merit scorecard system cancomprise one or more processors: an input/output unit connected to theone or more processors and a non-transitory memory, the input/outputunit adapted to be in communication with a plurality of remote computersthrough a communications network to receive a plurality of genetic meritestimates associated with the sale group, from each of the plurality ofremote computers; one or more genetic merit databases to associate theplurality of genetic merit estimates with a plurality of economicweighting factors; and a non-transitory computer-readable mediumpositioned in communication with the one or more processors and having acomputer program stored thereon including a set of instructions. Thisset of instructions when executed by one or more processors cause theone or more processors to perform operations of: generating a geneticmerit interface to display at one or more of the plurality of remotecomputers, the genetic merit interface allowing an input of a pluralityof genetic merit estimates associated with the sale group and totransmit from a respective remote computer the plurality of geneticmerit estimates to a genetic merit scorecard system; determining arelative market value for the sale group responsive to receiving theplurality of genetic merit estimates at the respective remote computer;and outputting a genetic merit scorecard for the sale group responsiveto determining the relative market value for the sale group. The geneticmerit scorecard includes the relative market value for the sale groupand at least one genetic merit estimate from the plurality of geneticmerit estimates. The genetic merit scorecard includes the relativemarket value for the sale group and at least one ranking of geneticmerits of the sale group.

In another embodiment, the genetic merit scorecard system receives aninput of the plurality of genetic merit estimates associated with thesale group including genetic merit estimates of feed intake, weaningweight, post-weaning weight gain, carcass weight, marbling, ribeye area,and back fat thickness.

In another embodiment, the genetic merit scorecard system has thecomputer program stored thereon that includes a further set ofinstructions. This further set of instructions when executed by one ormore processors cause the one or more processors to further performoperations of: determining a relative market value for the sale groupresponsive to receiving the plurality of genetic merit estimates at arespective remote computer by using one or more multivariate non-linearregression equations based on the plurality of genetic merit estimates.

In another embodiment of the genetic merit scorecard system, the geneticmerit scorecard further includes a recommended feed regimen for the salegroup based on the plurality of genetic merit estimates to optimize therealization of the maximum market potential of the sale group.

In another embodiment of the genetic merit scorecard system, the geneticmerit scorecard system has the computer program stored thereon thatincludes a further set of instructions. This further set of instructionsthat when executed by one or more processors cause the one or moreprocessors to further perform operations of transmitting the geneticmerit scorecard for the sale group to an auction computer. In thisembodiment, the genetic merit scorecard system further has one or morebuyer computers, each buyer computer being connected to a communicationnetwork and having a buyer interface, the buyer interface allowing abuyer to view at least the genetic merit scorecard and to submit bids onprice of the sale group; and one or more auction computers, each auctioncomputer being connected to a communication network and having one ormore processors performing further operations. These operations includereceiving the genetic merit scorecard for the sale group; receiving allbids on price of the sale group from one or more buyer computers;determining a highest bid for the sale group; and facilitating afinancial transaction for the buyer with the highest bid to purchase thesale group.

In another embodiment of the genetic merit scorecard system, the geneticmerit scorecard system has the computer program stored thereon thatincludes a further set of instructions. This further set of instructionsthat when executed by one or more processors cause the one or moreprocessors to further perform operations of transmitting the geneticmerit scorecard for the sale group to a broker database. In thisembodiment, the genetic merit scorecard system further has one or morebuyer computers, each buyer computer being connected to a communicationnetwork and a broker database, and having a buyer interface, the buyerinterface allowing a buyer to input a plurality of purchasingrequirements; one or more broker databases to associate plurality ofgenetic scorecards for the sale groups with purchasing requirements fromthe buyer computers; and one or more broker computers, each brokercomputer being connected to a communication network and a brokerdatabase, and having one or more processors performing operations ofreceiving from the broker database at least one of the following—theplurality of genetic merit estimates associated with the sale group, therelative market value of the sale group, and the genetic merit scorecardof the sale group; receiving the plurality of purchasing requirementsfrom one or more buyer computers; identifying a sale group from thebroker database responsive to the purchasing requirements from aparticular buyer computer; and facilitating a financial transaction forthe particular buyer to purchase the identified sale group.

According to various embodiments of the present invention, anon-transitory computer-readable medium has a computer program storedtherein including a set of instructions that when executed by one ormore processors cause the one or more processors to perform operationsof generating a genetic merit interface to display at one or more of theplurality of remote computers, the genetic merit interface allowing aninput of a plurality of genetic merit estimates associated with the salegroup and to transmit from the respective remote computer the pluralityof genetic merit estimates to a genetic merit scorecard system,determining a relative market value for the sale group responsive toreceiving the plurality of genetic merit estimates at a respectiveremote computer, and outputting a genetic merit scorecard for the salegroup responsive to determining the relative market value and geneticmerits for the sale group. The genetic merit scorecard includes therelative market value for the sale group and at least one genetic meritestimate from the plurality of genetic merit estimates. The geneticmerit scorecard includes the relative market value for the sale groupand at least one ranking of genetic merits of the sale group.

An embodiment of the present invention includes a computer-implementedmethod to determine a relative market value of a sale group. Thecomputer implemented method includes the steps of generating a geneticmerit interface to display at one or more of the plurality of remotecomputers, the genetic merit interface allowing an input of a pluralityof information associated with the sale group and to transmit from arespective remote computer the information associated with the salegroup to a genetic merit scorecard system, calculating economic outcomesbased on simulation models responsive to receiving the informationassociated with the sale group at the respective remote computer;analyzing the economic outcomes to derive a plurality of economicweighting factors; determining a relative market value for the salegroup responsive to the plurality of economic weighting factors and theplurality of information associated with the sale group at therespective remote computer; and outputting a genetic merit scorecard forthe sale group responsive to determining the relative market value forthe sale group. The genetic merit scorecard may include the relativemarket value for the sale group and the plurality of informationassociated with the sale group. The genetic merit scorecard includes therelative market value for the sale group and at least one ranking ofgenetic merits of the sale group.

By way of example, an embodiment of the present invention can include agenetic merit scorecard system to determine a relative market value of asale group. The genetic merit scorecard system includes one or moreprocessors; an input/output unit connected to the one or more processorsand a non-transitory memory, the input/output unit adapted to be incommunication with a plurality of remote computers through acommunications network to receive a plurality of information associatedwith the sale group, from each of the plurality of remote computers; oneor more genetic merit databases to associate the plurality ofinformation associated with the sale group with a plurality of economicweighting factors; non-transitory computer-readable medium positioned incommunication with the one or more processors and having a computerprogram stored thereon including a set of instructions. This set ofinstructions when executed by one or more processors cause the one ormore processors to perform operations of: generating a genetic meritinterface to display at one or more of the plurality of remotecomputers, the genetic merit interface allowing an input of a pluralityof information associated with the sale group and to transmit from arespective remote computer the information associated with the salegroup to a genetic merit scorecard system; calculating economic outcomesbased on simulation models responsive to receiving the informationassociated with the sale group at the respective remote computer;analyzing the economic outcomes to derive a plurality of economicweighting factors; determining a relative market value for the salegroup responsive to the plurality of economic weighting factors and theplurality of information associated with the sale group at therespective remote computer; and outputting a genetic merit scorecard forthe sale group responsive to determining the relative market value forthe sale group. The genetic merit scorecard may include the relativemarket value for the sale group and the plurality of informationassociated with the sale group. The genetic merit scorecard includes therelative market value for the sale group and at least one ranking ofgenetic merits of the sale group.

By way of example, an embodiment of the present invention can include anon-transitory computer-readable medium having computer program storedtherein including a set of instructions that when executed by one ormore processors cause the one or more processors to perform operationsof: generating a genetic merit interface to display at one or more ofthe plurality of remote computers, the genetic merit interface allowingan input of a plurality of information associated with the sale groupand to transmit from a respective remote computer the informationassociated with the sale group to a genetic merit scorecard system;calculating economic outcomes based on simulation models responsive toreceiving the information associated with the sale group at therespective remote computer; analyzing the economic outcomes to derive aplurality of economic weighting factors; determining a relative marketvalue for the sale group responsive to the plurality of economicweighting factors and the plurality of information associated with thesale group at the respective remote computer; and outputting a geneticmerit scorecard for the sale group responsive to determining therelative market value for the sale group. The genetic merit scorecardmay include the relative market value for the sale group and theplurality of information associated with the sale group. The geneticmerit scorecard includes the relative market value for the sale groupand at least one ranking of genetic merits of the sale group.

By way of example, an embodiment of the present invention can include acomputer-implemented method to determine a national average market valueof an animal or a plurality of animals, based on genetic merits. Areported number of potential sires registered by each breed by year ofbirth and average Expected Progeny Differences for all potential siresof each such year are obtained from a database. Then, the within breedExpected Progeny Differences are adjusted using breed factors thataccount for scaling and base differences between breeds. Economicweighting factors based on simulation models are applied to the adjustedExpected Progeny Differences. Values for non-reported breeds areestimated based on information obtained from breeds with similarbiological characteristics. The national average market value isdetermined by allocating proportional contribution of each breed as apercentage of the total number of potential sires registered. Thisnational average market value is the base to which all relative marketvalues are compared.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the features and benefits of the invention,as well as others which will become apparent, may be understood in moredetail, a more particular description of the embodiments of theinvention may be had by reference to the embodiments thereof which areillustrated in the appended drawings, which form a part of thisspecification. It is also to be noted, however, that the drawingsillustrate only various embodiments of the invention and are thereforenot to be considered limiting of the invention's scope as it may includeother effective embodiments as well.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an exemplary computer implementedmethod to determine the relative market value of a sale group.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of another exemplary computerimplemented method to determine the relative market value of a salegroup.

FIG. 3A is a schematic block diagram of another exemplary computerimplemented method to determine the relative market value of a salegroup.

FIG. 3B is a schematic block diagram of another exemplary computerimplemented method to determine the relative market value of a salegroup.

FIG. 3C is a schematic block diagram of another exemplary computerimplemented method to determine the relative market value of a salegroup.

FIG. 3D is a schematic block diagram of another exemplary computerimplemented method to determine the relative market value of a salegroup.

FIG. 3E is a schematic block diagram of another exemplary computerimplemented method to determine the relative market value of a salegroup.

FIG. 3F is a schematic block diagram of another exemplary computerimplemented method to determine the relative market value of a salegroup.

FIG. 4A is a block diagram that illustrates an exemplary computer systemin accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4B is a schematic block diagram of the operational flow ofcomputer-readable operations stored on a computer-readable medium in thememory of a computer according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a genetic merit interface displayed ata remote computer, according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a genetic merit interface displayed ata remote computer, along with an image of the output, according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7A is a schematic diagram of a certificate with the genetic meritscorecard, generated using a computer-implemented method according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7B is a schematic diagram of a certificate with the genetic meritscorecard, generated using a computer-implemented method according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of a system, computer-implementedmethod, and non-transitory, computer-readable medium to determinerelative market value of a sale group, according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of a system, computer-implementedmethod, and non-transitory, computer-readable medium configured to runon the internet to determine relative market value of a sale group,according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of a system, computer-implementedmethod, and non-transitory, computer readable medium configured to runon the internet to determine relative market value of a sale group andutilize this as part of an auction system, according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram of a system, computer-implementedmethod and non-transitory, computer-readable medium configured to run onthe internet to determine relative market value of a sale group andutilize the genetic merit scorecard as part of a brokering system,according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D are a series of flowcharts depictingcomponents of an exemplary computer program used in the genetic meritscorecard system, according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate variousembodiments of the invention. This invention, however, may be embodiedin many different forms and should not be construed as limited to theembodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided sothat this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fullyconvey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. It is tobe fully recognized that the different teachings of the variousembodiments discussed below may be employed separately or in anysuitable combination to produce desired results. The variouscharacteristics mentioned above, as well as other features andcharacteristics described in more detail below, will be readily apparentto those skilled in the art upon reading the following detaileddescription of the various embodiments, and by referring to theaccompanying drawings. In the drawings and description that follow, likeparts are marked throughout the specification and drawings with the samereference numerals, respectively. The prime notation, if used, indicatessimilar elements in alternative embodiments. The drawings are notnecessarily to scale. Certain features of the disclosure may be shownexaggerated in scale or in somewhat schematic form and some details ofconventional elements may not be shown in the interest of clarity andconciseness.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention advantageously provide,for example, systems, computer-readable program products, and relatedcomputer-implemented methods to determine a relative market value of asale group. In a certain embodiment, the sale group is a plurality ofanimals from a herd of livestock.

As used herein, a herd can be any company of animals of one species,including but not limited to, domestic animals, feeding or travelingtogether, as the term is known and understood by those skilled in theart. Such animals can include, for example, but are not limited to,cattle and other bovines, sheep, goats, pigs and other swine. A herd maybe a group of all male animals, all females, or all young animals, orany combinations thereof. A herd refers to all of the animals on thelivestock operation, and may include a sale group, cows, bulls, calves,or any combinations thereof.

As used herein, calves refer to the young of the animals, including butnot limited to, the young of domestic animals, for example cattle andother bovines, sheep, goats, pigs and other swine, as the term is knownand understood by those skilled in the art. In certain specificembodiments, a calf may refer to a young bovine animal, less than oneyear of age.

As used herein, a sale group is an animal or a plurality of animals forwhich a relative market value is determined. In certain embodiments, thesale group is composed of young animals, usually calves. The calves maybe unregistered or registered calves. The calves may be individuallyidentified by electronic identification (EID) or Radio-Frequencyidentification (RFID) tags or buttons. Thus, the relative market valueis determined as part of a process verified individual calfidentification program. In certain embodiments, the sale group iscomposed of young animals, selected by age and source. Source and ageverification must be documented and verified through a recognized UnitedStates Department of Agriculture program. The genetic merit of a salegroup cannot be realized without proper health and management practices,including age-appropriate vaccination and other treatment procedures.Without proper documentation of health and other management practices,buyers will discount the realizable value of the genetic merit of theanimals due to the risk of sickness and death. The most valuable cattleare the ones with a strong nutritional foundation, solid health historyand the genetic background to perform both in the yard and on the rail.In certain embodiments, the sale group is part of a herd. A sale groupmay be a group of all male animals, all females, or all young animals,or any combinations thereof. In certain specific embodiments, a salegroup may be a group of male castrated bovines or steers. In otherembodiments, a sale group may be a group of calves, belonging to thesame age group. For example, a sale group may be a group of animals ofeither sex but between 1 and 2 years of age, also known as yearlings. Incertain embodiments, a sale group may comprise a single animal. Inanother embodiment, the sale group is composed of unregistered calves.

In certain other embodiments, the relative market value is determinedfor a sale group that contains only cattle. In another embodiment, therelative market value is determined for a sale group that has onlycattle of a particular breed. In another embodiment, the relative marketvalue is determined for a sale group that has cattle, fed and harvestedexclusively for beef production.

During beef production, sale groups are purchased and sold at variousstages of the production process. For example, a cow-calf producermaintains a breeding herd of cattle that produce calves. Then the calvesmay leave the ranch or farm of origin to be in the backgrounder orstocker segment of production, where the calves graze until they reach aparticular age and weight range. Some of these calves are sold orpurchased for feedlot or feedyard operations. Calves may proceeddirectly from the farm or ranch of origin to a feedlot to be finished.In the feedlot stage of production, these animals are fed with theintent of adding muscle and fat appropriately until they reach marketweight. This process may be referred to as finishing or fattening. Thecattle may be fed a grain-based diet or allowed to feed on grasspastures. Once the cattle reach the desired or market weight, they aresent to a processing facility to be harvested. The relative market valueof a sale group may be determined at any stage of the beef productionprocess. In certain embodiments, the relative market value of a salegroup is determined prior to the feedlot stage of production. In certainembodiments, the relative market value of a sale group is determined formarketing to auction markets, to backgrounding facilities, to finishingfacilities, or to any other operator in the beef production process. Incertain embodiments, the relative market value of a sale group isdetermined when the calves are sold or purchased after the cow-calfstage of production. In other embodiments, the relative market value ofa sale group is determined when cattle are sold or purchased after thebackgrounder or stocker segment of production.

Breed associations, like the American Angus Association (AAA), offerpredictions of the genetic merit differences of offspring of oneregistered ancestor versus offspring of another registered ancestor. AAAdoes not offer predictions of genetic merit for groups of calves out ofmultiple ancestors, nor do they offer predictions for animals out ofunregistered ancestors. The predictions offered by AAA and other breedassociations cannot be compared across databases or across breeds. Thus,for example, a prediction on Angus cattle cannot be directly compared toa prediction on Hereford cattle. No association currently offerspredictions that can incorporate offspring of animals from multipledatabases (i.e., from multiple breeds with separate databases or evenfrom different country databases on the same breed).

As used herein, ancestors refer to the forebears of an animal or aplurality of animals, as the term is known and understood by thoseskilled in the art. Such animals can include, for example, but are notlimited to, dams, sires, granddams, and grandsires. For example, theancestors of a herd of calves include the bull, the cow, and the parentsof the bull and the cow. The genetic merits of the ancestors are theinherited productivity or performance qualities that are transmitted tothe progeny.

The term “progeny” refers to any and all future generations derived ordescending from an animal. The term “grandprogeny” refers to the secondgeneration derived or descending from an animal.

The term “relatives” refers to any and all lineal descendants,collateral descendants, lineal ancestors, collateral ancestors,siblings, half-siblings and other kin related by blood to an animal or aplurality of animals. For example, the relatives of a herd of calves mayinclude the bulls, the cows, other offspring of the bulls and the cows,and the parents and siblings of the bulls and the cows. The geneticmerits of the relatives are the inherited productivity or performancequalities that are transmitted to the progeny. These genetic merits arepredicted from all available observations on all relatives.

Genetic merit is the term used to describe the influence of an animal'sgenetic makeup on the expression of that animal's phenotype. Geneticmerits depend on the animal's genetic makeup and may includeinteractions with non-genetic factors. Genetic merits can be determinedby both biometric measurements, and genetic tests that involve obtainingsamples of DNA from an individual animal. Genetic merits, for example,include, but are not limited to, carcass merit, carcass weight, averagedaily gain, and feed efficiency. These genetic merits drive feedlot andharvest profitability. While assessing the relative market value of ayoung animal or a sale group, one could utilize predictions of itsgenetic merits derived from the relatives, or use these predictions incombination with the measurements obtained from the animal or the salegroup, and the external factors in which the animals have been raised.External factors that affect the expression of the genetic merit of ananimal as a phenotype include, for example, production or growthenvironment conditions, management systems, nutrition, or combinationsof such factors. Certain genotypes may enable an animal to displaysuperior performance in certain environmental conditions. Environmentalfactors like weather, parasites and stress may affect the genetic meritand therefore, its relative market value. Management strategies, liketransportation, production systems, time on feed and feed quality, alsoaffect cattle performance and therefore, its relative market value.These environmental factors and management strategies as applicable tothe sale group, its relatives, and its contemporary group are capturedas inputs into the genetic merit scorecard system. In certainembodiments of this invention, relative market value is determined byanalytical models that also account for these external factors. Marketvalue of an animal may also be determined based on an estimate of thegenetic value of an animal as a parent. So the market value of such ananimal would be the mathematical analysis of the predictions regardingthe transmissibility of its genetic merits.

The term “genetic merit estimate” as used herein refers to predictionsand/or biometric measurements of genetic merits. Most commonly,predictions about the genetic merits are used to characterize the valueof the ancestor as a breeding animal relative to other breeding animals.Predictions of genetic merit have never been used to predict therelative market value of multi-breed feeder calves compared to a geneticmerit based national market value average. Embodiments of the presentinvention utilize genetic merit estimates obtained from relatives of thesale group and the sale group itself and include at least two of thefollowing: average daily gain, carcass weight, marbling, back fatthickness, feed to gain ratio, ribeye area, yield grade, tenderness,percentage of choice, pedigree, breed effects, feed intake, animalhealth, weaning weight, post weaning weight gain, maintenance energy,maternal merit, birth weight, or residual feed intake, residual averagedaily gain, or any linear or non-linear combination of any two or moreof these traits. The genetic merit estimates may also factor ininformation from the plurality of animals directly including phenotypes,parentage, and DNA information including genomic predictions obtainedfrom single nucleotide polymorphism information or DNA sequenceinformation. The genetic merit estimates as utilized in this inventionmay be derived from genetic tests, phenotypes, or Expected ProgenyDifferences (“EPD”). Embodiments of the invention may also utilizeinformation from genetic tests performed on the animal or its relativesor the sale group to measure the DNA markers or other DNA sequenceinformation.

In certain embodiments, the plurality of genetic merit estimatesassociated with the sale group includes one or more genetic meritestimates obtained from the relatives of the sale group. In certainembodiments, the relatives of the sale group may include one or moresires of the sale group. In some embodiments, the relatives of the salegroup may include one or more sires of the sale group and one or moregrandsires of the sale group.

One of the most reliable determinants of the genetic merit estimate isExpected Progeny Differences or EPD. They are valuable predictions usedfor selecting breeding animals. EPD is the prediction of how the progenyof an animal will perform relative to the progeny of animals within thesame dataset being analyzed. This dataset may include a herd, an entirebreed, or a plurality of breeds, and may include animals of multiplebreed compositions. For example, the database contains phenotypicobservations, contemporary groupings, and sometimes DNA observationsthat are then compared to a relationship matrix of all animals in thedatabase. The relationship matrix ties together all animals in thedatabase by showing their degree of relatedness on a scale of 0(unrelated) to 1 (clone). EPD can be adjusted to reflect across data setdifferences, including across breed differences. So when two animals arecompared using their EPD, the EPD indicate the differences one canexpect to see in the progeny. EPD are most commonly expressed as unitsof measure for the genetic merit estimates, positive or negative. SomeEPD are expressed as proportional values such as probabilities. Some EPDare expressed as standardized values. Genetic merit estimates such asEPD for birth weight, weaning weight, post-weaning weight gain areexpressed in pounds. EPD used in this invention are obtained fromseveral sources, including, but not limited to, inventors' proprietarydatabases (e.g., the Leachman database) and publicly available databaseslike those maintained by breed associations. EPD are subject to changeas more records are added, because the prediction of genetic meritchanges depending on the available information. More records are addedas new measures are taken, new animals are born, and new herds are addedto the databases. Accuracy is a measure of the reliability that can beplaced on the EPD. An accuracy of close to 1.0 indicates higherreliability for that EPD, and is usually impacted by the number of datapoints that are captured for the relatives.

EPD are unbiased predictions of genetic differences, but EPD are not100% accurate. Accuracy is a measure of the reliability that can beplaced on the EPD. An accuracy of close to 1.0 indicates higherreliability for that EPD, and is usually impacted by the number of datapoints that are captured for the relatives of the animal. Accuracy canalso be affected by the technology and methods involved in theproduction of the EPD. EPD that include observations or biometricmeasurements and DNA markers can have a higher accuracy value than EPDthat are produced using only pedigree estimates. The accuracy of themean EPD of a group of animals is typically much higher than theaccuracy of the EPD for individual animals. As an example, one mighttake individual estimates of weights of a group of 250 animals. Theaccuracy (the proximity of true value to the predicted or measuredvalue) associated with each estimate of individual weight is relativelylow. However, the accuracy of the estimated average weight of the 250animals is much higher. In certain embodiments of the invention, thisstatistical precept has been applied to the averages of EPD. Theaccuracy of the average EPD of a group of animals is much higher thanthe accuracy of the EPD of the individual animals in the group. Incertain embodiments of the invention, relative market value and geneticmerit estimates of a sale group are not based on EPD and otherpredictive values for individual animals. Instead, data from andpredictions for groups of animals are used. These resulting grouppredictions are far more accurate than individual predictions that arereadily available in the industry.

Embodiments of the invention include utilizing mean EPD of the geneticmerits of a group of animals and their relatives, instead of the EPD ofindividual animals or its ancestors. For example, in operations thatinvolve multi-sire breeding, or in pastoral conditions where multi-siresare present, it is difficult to assign paternity. Therefore, instead ofutilizing tests to determine the paternity of the sale group, it may becost-effective to use mean EPD of the relatives associated with the salegroup. Simulation models can associate the mean EPD values with economicfactors and thus the model can directly project the relative marketvalue of the sale group based on the mean EPD of the relatives. In otherembodiments of the invention, the mean EPD of all possible parents ofthe sale group may be utilized to determine the relative market value ofthe sale group. In certain embodiments, the mean EPD of each geneticmerit is utilized along with the variance of the EPD for the sale groupto determine the relative market value. In certain embodiments of theinvention, as one can predict the variability of a group's genetic meritestimates, and therefore, the variability of the relative market valueof the sale group.

Current DNA-based calf valuation programs, such as that offered byZoetis and AAA, estimate the genetic merits of an individualunregistered calf based directly on the calf's own DNA. In most cases,the sire of the calf is not identified. The predictions for DNA baseddifferences are generally derived by utilizing the matrix of EPD andrelationships for all animals in the database, which include theregistered relatives of the calf. The specific EPD of relatives of thecalves are typically not utilized in this calculation. Scores from theseprograms are not tied to current market prices or any specific relativemarket value. Further, these scores do not allow comparisons withanimals of other breeds, or from other databases, or with a nationalaverage. Embodiments of the invention utilize EPD information on siresand on other relatives (i.e., maternal grandsires) and may includephenotype information on the animals themselves to determine relativemarket values. Embodiments of the invention allow for bundling thegenetic prediction with a specific set of age and source verifiedcalves. Embodiments of the invention predict dollar per poundpredictions of the relative market value for a group of animals or thesale group.

A few examples of the genetic merits and genetic merit estimates aredescribed below in greater detail. In certain embodiments of theinvention, one or more of these EPD are used as genetic merit estimatesin the computation models to derive a relative market value. In otherembodiments of the invention, one or more of these EPD are used alongwith other real-time measurements in the computation models to derive arelative market value.

Embodiments of the present invention include utilizing Average DailyGain as a genetic merit estimate for calculating a relative marketvalue. For example, Average Daily Gain may be derived from EPD onpost-weaning weight gain. Average Daily Gain EPD of an animal, expressedin pounds, predicts the difference in post-weaning weight gain betweenthe weight gains of the progeny of such animal compared to the progenyof other animals. Analytical models used in the present invention maytake into account Average Daily Gain EPD of the individual animal, or ofthe sale group, or of the relatives of the animal or sale group, or ofcombinations thereof.

Embodiments of the present invention include utilizing Carcass Weight asa genetic merit estimate for calculating a relative market value.Carcass Weight can be derived from Carcass Weight EPD of an animal orfrom a formula driven by weaning weight, post-weaning weight gain,ribeye area, marbling, back fat, and feed intake. Carcass Weight EPD,expressed in pounds, predicts the difference in carcass weight betweenthe weights of the progeny of such animal compared to the progeny ofother animals.

Embodiments of the present invention include utilizing Feed to GainRatio, Residual Average Daily Gain, Residual Feed Intake, and/or FeedIntake as genetic merit estimates for calculating a relative marketvalue. Each of these genetic merit estimates predicts the amount of feedrequired by the animal to produce a pound of live weight. In addition,exemplary embodiments of the present invention utilize Feed Intake EPDto predict the amount of feed required to attain the predicted carcassweight. Analytical models used in the present invention may take intoaccount Feed to Gain Ratio EPD of the relatives, and/or Feed to GainRatio by the individual animal or by the herd. Analytical models used inthe present invention may take into account Residual Average Daily GainEPD, Residual Feed Intake EPD, and Feed Intake EPD of the individualanimals or the sale group, or the relatives, or any combinationsthereof.

Embodiments of the present invention include utilizing Ribeye Area as agenetic merit estimate for calculating a relative market value. RibeyeArea EPD predicts the difference in square inches of the ribeye area ofan animal's progeny compared to the progeny of other animals. RibeyeArea factors into the carcass yield grade equation that estimates thepercentage of edible cuts that can be obtained from the carcass. LargerRibeye Area EPD also predicts that the animal can be fed to a heaviercarcass weight before yield grade discounts are applied.

Embodiments of the present invention include utilizing Yield Grade as agenetic merit estimate for calculating a relative market value. YieldGrade EPD is a prediction of the relative red meat yield of the carcassthat is driven by carcass weight, fat, and ribeye area. A Yield GradeEPD is calculated for percent of retail product that can be produced bythe progeny of the animal compared to the progeny of other animals.

Embodiments of the present invention include utilizing Marbling orIntramuscular Fat (IMF) as a genetic merit estimate for calculating arelative market value. Marbling EPD is expressed as a difference in USDAmarbling score or a difference in the percentage of intramuscular fat.Marbling is a prediction of the USDA's score of the amount ofintramuscular fat in the ribeye muscle of an animal's progeny comparedto progeny of other animals. Higher marbling animals command carcasspremiums.

Embodiments of the present invention include utilizing Percentage ofChoice as a genetic merit estimate for calculating a relative marketvalue. Percentage of Choice EPD is a prediction of the percentage of thecarcass of an animal's progeny that will grade in USDA's choice orbetter carcass category, when compared to progeny of other animals. Thisgenetic merit estimate may be driven by the Marbling EPD.

Embodiments of the present invention include utilizing the WeaningWeight as a genetic merit estimate for calculating a relative marketvalue. Weaning Weight EPD is expressed in pounds and predicts theaverage differences in weight of an animal's progeny compared to progenyof other animals for a standard weaning age, usually at about 205 days.Analytical models used in the present invention may take into accountWeaning Weight of the individual animal, or of the sale group, or of therelatives of the animal or sale group, or of combinations thereof.

Embodiments of the present invention include utilizing Animal Health asa genetic merit estimate for calculating a relative market value. AnimalHealth EPD can be calculated based on treatment and mortality rates inanimals within a database. Analytical models used in the presentinvention may include Animal Health EPD of the individual animal, or ofthe sale group, or of the relatives of the animal or sale group, or ofcombinations thereof.

Embodiments of the present invention include utilizing Tenderness as agenetic merit estimate for calculating a relative market value.Tenderness EPD can be utilized to estimate carcass value as more tenderbeef is more valuable. Analytical models used in the present inventionmay include Tenderness EPD of the individual animal, or of the salegroup, or of the relatives of the animal or sale group, or ofcombinations thereof.

Breeds consist of animals with a common origin and selection history.Animals within a breed have physical characteristics that distinguishthem from other breeds or groups of animals within the same species.Breed differences exist due partly to natural and artificial selectionpressures. A breed association is the organization that typicallymaintains pedigree and performance information and arranges for timelygenetic evaluation of animals within that breed. Breed associations alsoestablish regulations for registration of animals, promote the breed,and advance the interests of its members. Breed Effects are adjustmentfactors that allow comparison of EPD from differing breeds and/ordifferent breed databases. Breed Effects include base adjustment factorswhich may be derived from proprietary databases (e.g., Leachmandatabase) or from publicly available databases. An example of a publiclyavailable database, are the across breed comparison charts that areprovided by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)Agricultural Research Service. Certain embodiments of the inventionutilize Breed Effects that include the variance of the EPD within abreed to rescale the EPD and aid in across breed and/or across databasecomparisons. Embodiments of the present invention include utilizingBreed Effects for standardizing genetic merit estimates from multiplebreeds. These standardized genetic merit estimates are then used forcalculating a relative market value.

Producer's bull battery is the historical inventory of bulls used in theherd. Embodiments of the present invention include utilizing a ten yearhistory of all the bulls used in the herd. Bull identity is stored basedon the bull's registration number and breed. Corresponding estimates ofgenetic merit are stored on each bull. This ancestral data is then usedto estimate the relative market value of the corresponding sale groups.

Cowherd size is the approximate number of breeding age females kept inthe herd. Embodiments of the present invention utilize the cowherd sizeto assess the bull battery inventory. A minimum percentage of bullbattery inventory is required to produce the relative market valueestimate for a sale group.

Embodiments of the present invention include estimating the geneticmerit contribution of the dams of the sale group via genetic meritestimates on the older portion of the bull battery. In the event thatfemales are purchased, the genetic merit of the dams cannot be estimatedin this fashion and are then assumed to be either equal to industryaverage or to the breed average if breed of the dams can be accuratelyascertained. Other embodiments of the present invention includeutilizing genetic merit estimates for dams from their herd of origin inthe same way that genetic merits are estimated for the sale groups.

Data about any measurement of the relatives' attributes or EPD ofrelatives are most useful for evaluating younger animals beforeperformance and productivity measurements from the individual animals ortheir progeny are obtained. Pedigree information is also important forunderstanding genetic variability and its role in determining geneticmerit. In certain embodiments of the invention, the EPD of relatives,for example that of the sires and maternal grandsires, are the onlygenetic merit estimates used in determining the relative market value ofa sale group. Simulation models can associate the EPD values witheconomic factors and thus the model can directly project the relativemarket value based on the EPD alone. The genetic merit estimates mayinclude the EPD of only one parent, for example the sire.

Genetic merits affect the expense in raising the sale group and theincome derived from it. A simulation model has been developed thatprovides appropriate bio-economic weights to these genetic meritestimates in estimating the relative value of the sale group. Theeconomic weighting factors thus derived are applied to every EPD that auser inputs using the genetic merit scorecard system. These economicweighting factors are derived utilizing current assumptions for thechanging real world prices for cattle and feed, labor, interest, andhealth costs, and other costs associated with livestock health andenvironment.

In an embodiment of the genetic merit scorecard system, the relativemarket value is determined using a plurality of information associatedwith the sale group. The plurality of information associated with thesale group include at least one of the following: genetic meritestimates associated with the sale group, performance information of thesale group, performance information from a contemporary group,environmental conditions, management information, and nutritionalinformation. Performance information associated with an animal or aplurality of animals includes reproductive performance metrics,production performance metrics, and economic performance metrics of theanimal or the plurality of animals, as the term is known and understoodby those skilled in the art. In certain embodiments, genetic meritestimates associated with the sale group are mean EPD values for therelatives of the sale group, instead of individual EPD values. Incertain embodiments of the invention, a herd average is used todetermine the relative market value for commercial customers' calves. Inanother embodiment, the sale group may be composed of animals registeredwith the breed association or of unregistered progeny of these animals.

In certain embodiments, the relative market value is determined based onthe genetic merit estimates, for example feed intake, feed to gain,residual feed intake, and residual average daily gain, which are allproxies for this trait. Existing systems value the output and makestandard cost assumptions on the feed intake. Embodiments of theinvention take into account specific EPD for intake on the relatives ofthe sale group. Thus, these embodiments of the genetic merit scorecardsystem offer better prediction of likely feeding costs, and a moreaccurate prediction of relative market value for the sale group.

In another embodiment of the genetic merit scorecard system, the systemallows for a user to access the previously determined relative marketvalue of a sale group. This user can then input one or more changes inthe plurality of genetic merit estimates and determine a revisedrelative market value for the sale group. This revised relative marketvalue is then reflected on a revised genetic merit scorecard. A usercould input other information obtained from an animal or the sale groupsuch as the associated environmental conditions, performanceinformation, management information, nutritional information, orcombinations thereof.

In another embodiment of the genetic merit scorecard system, the systemallows for a user to input information from a particular buyer of thesale group. The information is associated to a particular buyer andincludes specific environmental conditions, market conditions,management information, nutritional information, or combinationsthereof.

Various embodiments of the present invention advantageously providesystems, machines, non-transitory computer medium having computerprogram instructions stored thereon, and computer-implemented methodsfor determining relative market value of a sale group.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an exemplary embodiment of thecomputer-implemented methods of the invention. In one embodiment, themethod utilizes 11 a variety of genetic merit estimate inputs,including, but not limited to, EPD values for genetic merits from ananimal, a plurality of animals, or their relatives, and/or performanceinformation from an individual animal, or from its contemporary group,or its relatives. The set of animals, whose relative market value isdetermined, is referred to as the sale group. The method may alsoutilize genetic merit estimates derived from DNA analysis of the salegroup or its relatives. DNA analysis involves obtaining information fromthe genetic material from any type of cell or tissue of an individualanimal, or a sale group, or of its contemporary group, or its relatives.Economic weighting factors are calculated 12 using market valuesassociated to each of the above input factors. Market values can includehistorical sales values, sales projection data, and real-time marketvalues for animals, carcasses, and operational expenses, like feed,labor, interest, and health. Then utilizing all relevant genetic meritestimates and associated economic weighting factors, analytical modelsare assembled 13 to derive linear and/or non-linear associations. Theanalytical model, for example, may include, but is not limited to, amultivariate regression analysis that fits the various genetic meritestimates in linear and non-linear forms against the economic weightingfactors derived from a simulation model. Using these models, a relativemarket value is determined 14 for a sale group. In an embodiment, onecan also generate 15 a genetic merit scorecard for the sale group basedon the relative market value and the genetic merit estimates. Such agenetic merit scorecard may contain a relative market value along with astar ranking of the genetic merits of the sale group on a percentilebasis. An example of a genetic merit scorecard 65 is provided in FIG. 6.

The relative market value may be expressed in various ways. In oneembodiment, the relative market value is a difference in market valueper head of a sale group compared to the market value of a sale groupthat represents the average progeny of all registered bulls in thecountry or market region. In another embodiment, the relative marketvalue is a difference in market value per centum weight of the salegroup compared to the market value per centum of a sale group thatrepresents the average progeny of all registered bulls in the country ormarket region. The national average is estimated by calculating theaverage EPD for each breed by year. These EPD are then input into thelinear estimation models to estimate relative market values for progenyby all registered bulls within each breed. Then the relative marketvalues are combined into a single national average based on each breed'scontribution to the total number of registered bulls in the country.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of another exemplary embodiment of thecomputer-implemented methods of the invention. In this embodiment,inputs 21 of various genetic merit estimates are used, including but notlimited to, EPD values for genetic merits from an animal, a plurality ofanimals, or their relatives, and/or performance information from anindividual animal, or from its contemporary group, or its relatives. Inan embodiment, the EPD values used are mean EPD values for the salegroup. The method may also utilize genetic merit estimates derived fromDNA analysis. DNA analysis involves obtaining information from thegenetic material from any type of cell or tissue of an individualanimal, or a sale group, or of its contemporary group, or of itsrelatives. Economic outcomes are calculated 22 based on simulationmodels that utilize each of the above input factors. The simulationresults are analyzed using multivariate regression analysis to derivelinear and/or non-linear associations such as economic weighting factors23. Relative market value for a sale group is determined 24. In anembodiment, one can also generate 25 a genetic merit scorecard for asale group based on the relative market value and the genetic meritestimates. Such a genetic merit scorecard may contain a relative marketvalue along with a star ranking of the genetic merits of the animals ona percentile basis. An example of a genetic merit scorecard 65 isprovided in FIG. 6.

In certain embodiments, the current and historical data from the geneticmerit database provides a series of data points, each of which isdefined by one or more input variables, or genetic merit estimates, andone or more outputs, such as economic values. The inputs include geneticmerit estimates of any of the following: average daily gain, carcassweight, marbling, back fat thickness, feed to gain ratio, ribeye area,yield grade, tenderness, percentage of choice, pedigree, breed effects,feed intake, animal health, weaning weight, post weaning weight gain,maintenance energy, maternal merit, birth weight, or residual feedintake, residual average daily gain, or any linear or non-linearcombination of any two or more of these traits. In certain embodiments,the independent variables may include a limited set of genetic meritestimates of feed intake, weaning weight, post-weaning weight gain,carcass weight, marbling, ribeye area, and back fat thickness. Aregression analysis is performed on the data points to determine therelationship between the genetic merit estimates and the economicvalues. The multiple regression analysis produces an equation with aconstant term a, and a plurality of subsequent terms. Except for theconstant term, the nth term of the equation may begin with a non-zerocoefficient β number n−1 and may include either a single input variableof any degree or the product of two or more input variables of anydegrees.

The regression can be linear or non-linear. In an embodiment of theinvention, the regression is non-linear. This embodiment allows theregression analysis to produce broader results because the terms of theresulting equation to calculate the relative market value will not berestricted to having a degree of one. The broader range of possibleresults increases the likelihood that the derived result will correlateclosely to the data points from the genetic merit database.

An example of a model developed using the computer-implemented methodsof an embodiment of this invention is described below in the form of anequation:

Relative market value=α+(β1×Weaning EPD)+(β2×Post Weaning GainEPD)+(β3×Post Weaning Gain EPD squared)+(β4×Marbling EPD)+(β5×MarblingEPD squared)+(β6×Ribeye Area EPD)+(β7×Fat EPD)+(β8×Carcass WeightEPD)+(β9×Feed Intake EPD)+(β10×Breed effect)

In this equation, α is the intercept while the βs represent economicweighting factors associated with each of the specific EPD values.

TABLE 1 Relative Market Value Prediction per Head Expected Genetic MeritProgeny Estimate (EPD Economic Difference Partial name) Weighting FactorValue solution Intercept −54.63230595 −54.63230595 Ribeye Area18.83628065 0.225 4.238163145 Marbling 70.15643278 0.37 25.95788013 Fat−365.0592968 0.004 −1.460237187 Weaning weight 0.698390155 38.526.88802097 PostW_gain_epd 3.203660424 33.25 106.5217091 Breedadjustment 0 0 0 Carcass weight 0 0 0 PostW_gain_epd2 −0.0331472681107.25 −36.70231265 Marbling2 −43.68630945 0.13775 −6.017789127Relative $64.79 Market Value per head

Table 1 is a non-limiting example of how the relative market value of asale group can be determined using the various genetic merit estimatesexpressed as the EPD and their associated economic weighting factors. Inthis example, the set of calves out of the ancestor (whose geneticestimates are in column 3) would have a relative market value of$64.79/head. If the calves weighed 500 lbs., the relative market valuecan be also expressed as $12.98 per cwt. (hundred weight) or $0.1298 perpound.

FIG. 3A is an illustration of another exemplary embodiment of thecomputer-implemented methods of the invention. In this embodiment,inputs 31 of a variety of genetic merit estimate inputs are used,including but not limited to, EPD values for genetic merits from ananimal, a plurality of animals, or their relatives, and/or performanceinformation from an individual animal, or from its contemporary group,or its relatives. The method may also utilize genetic merit estimatesderived from DNA analysis of the sale group. If required, anacross-breed adjustment is made 32. A simulation model is used 33 thatdirectly projects the value differences based on the ancestral EPD. Therelative market value for the sale group is determined 34. In anembodiment, one can also generate 35 a genetic merit scorecard based onthe relative market value and the genetic merit estimates. Such geneticmerit scorecard may contain a relative market value of the sale groupalong with a star ranking of the genetic merits of the animals on apercentile basis. An example of a genetic merit scorecard 65 is providedin FIG. 6.

FIG. 3B is an illustration of another exemplary embodiment of thecomputer-implemented methods of the invention and is described below.

In this embodiment, a variety of genetic merit estimates 311 areinputted, including but not limited to, EPD values for genetic meritsfrom an animal, a plurality of animals, or their relatives, and/orperformance information from an individual animal, or from itscontemporary group, or its relatives. First, Breed EPD on sires andmaternal grand sires 312 are converted into standard deviation unitdifferences. Then, Breed standard deviation unit differences 313 areadjusted to a standard, across breed basis utilizing EPD adjustmentfactors from USDA-ARS, the Leachman database, and/or other EPDdatabases.

A regression analysis is performed using the standard deviation unitsfor each trait to determine 314 the feeder calf value. Note that in somecases, not all EPD are available on sires and grandsires. In such cases,the coefficients for the input variables change due to correlatedresponses between missing traits and available traits. The feeder calfvalue is a value assigned to ancestors (like sires and maternalgrandsires), and is a projection of the value of offspring of theanimal. The feeder calf value for a sire predicts the value of thesire's offspring. The feeder calf value in standard deviation units 315is then converted to dollar units for each sire and maternal grandsire.Missing feeder calf values for sires and grandsires are assigned toappropriate population averages. The feeder calf value in dollars forsires, including missing sires, is averaged 316. The feeder calf valuefor maternal grandsires, including missing maternal grandsires, isaveraged 316. The relative market value of the sale group 317 iscalculated based on the feeder calf value of the sires and thegrandsires. In an embodiment, one can also generate 318 a genetic meritscorecard based on the relative market value and the genetic meritestimates. Such a genetic merit scorecard may contain a relative marketvalue of the sale group along with a star ranking of the genetic meritsof the animals on a percentile basis. An example of a genetic meritscorecard 65 is provided in FIG. 6.

FIG. 3C is an illustration of another exemplary embodiment of thecomputer-implemented methods of the invention, and is described below.

In this embodiment, a variety of genetic merit estimates 319 areinputted, including but not limited to, EPD values for genetic meritsfrom an animal, a plurality of animals, or their relatives, and/orperformance information from an individual animal, or from itscontemporary group, or its relatives. First, Breed EPD on sires andmaternal grandsires 320 are converted into standard deviation unitdifferences. Then, Breed standard deviation unit differences 321 areadjusted to a standard, across breed basis utilizing EPD adjustmentfactors from USDA-ARS, the Leachman database, and/or other EPDdatabases. Utilizing 322 current and historical data from the geneticmerit database, a regression analysis is performed 323 using thestandard deviation units for each trait to determine 324 the feeder calfvalue. Note that in some cases, not all EPD are available on sires andgrandsires. In such cases, the coefficients for the input variableschange due to correlated responses between missing traits and availabletraits. The feeder calf value in standard deviation units 325 is thenconverted to dollar units for each sire and maternal grandsire. Missingfeeder calf values for sires and grandsires are assigned to appropriatepopulation averages. The feeder calf value in dollars for sires,including missing sires, is averaged 326. The feeder calf value formaternal grandsires, including missing maternal grandsires, is averaged326. The relative market value of the sale group 327 is calculated basedon the feeder calf value of the sires and the grandsires.

In a certain embodiment, relative market value of the sale group iscalculated using the following formula:

Relative market value of the sale group=(Feeder CalfValue)_(Sires)+½(Feeder Calf Value)_(Maternal Grandsires).

In an embodiment, one can also generate 328 a genetic merit scorecardbased on the relative market value and the genetic merit estimates. Suchgenetic merit scorecard may contain a relative market value of the salegroup along with a star ranking of the genetic merits of the animals ona percentile basis. An example of a genetic merit scorecard 65 isprovided in FIG. 6.

FIG. 3D is an illustration of another exemplary embodiment of thecomputer-implemented methods of the invention, and is described below.

In this embodiment, a variety of genetic merit estimates 329 areinputted, including but not limited to, EPD values for genetic meritsfrom an animal, a plurality of animals, or their relatives, and/orperformance information from an individual animal, or from itscontemporary group, or its relatives. First, Breed EPD on sires andmaternal grandsires 330 are converted into standard deviation unitdifferences. Then, Breed standard deviation unit differences 331 areadjusted to a standard, across breed basis utilizing EPD adjustmentfactors from USDA-ARS, the Leachman database, and/or other EPDdatabases. In an embodiment, current and historical data from thegenetic merit database are used in a regression analysis to determine332 the feeder calf value.

The following equation is determined 332 and then applied to standarddeviation units for each trait:

Feeder Calf Value in standard deviation units=α+(β1×WeaningEPD)+(β2×Post Weaning EPD)+(β3×Carcass Weight EPD)+(β4×MarblingEPD)+(β5×Ribeye Area EPD)+(β6×Fat EPD)+(β7×Intake EPD)+(β8×WeaningWeight EPD squared)+(β9×Post Weaning Gain EPD squared)+(β10×CarcassWeight EPD squared)+(β11×Marbling EPD squared)+(β12×Ribeye Area EPDsquared)+(β13×Fat EPD squared)+(β14×Feed Intake EPDsquared)+(β15×Weaning EPD×Post Weaning EPD)+(β16×Weaning EPD×CarcassWeight EPD)+(β17×Weaning EPD×Marbling EPD)+(β18×Weaning EPD×Ribeye AreaEPD)+(β19×Weaning EPD×Fat EPD)+(β20×Weaning EPD×Intake EPD)+(β21×PostWeaning EPD×Carcass Weight EPD)+(β22×Post Weaning EPD×MarblingEPD)+(β23×Post Weaning EPD×Ribeye Area EPD)+(β24×Post Weaning EPD×FatEPD)+(β25×Post Weaning EPD×Intake EPD)+(β26×Ribeye Area EPD×CarcassWeight EPD)+(β27 Ribeye Area EPD×Marbling EPD)+(β28×Ribeye Area EPD×FatEPD)+(β29×Ribeye Area EPD×Intake EPD)+(β30×Marbling EPD×Carcass WeightEPD)+(β31×Marbling EPD×Fat EPD)+(β32×Marbling EPD×Intake EPD)+(β33 FatEPD×Carcass Weight EPD)+(β4×Fat EPD×Intake EPD)+(β35×Intake EPD×CarcassWeight EPD)+(β36×Carcass Weight EPD cubed)

Coefficients for Equation α (Intercept) 0.051200 β1 SdWW −0.179 β2 SdPWG0.07603 β3 SdCWT 0.9583 β4 SdMarb 0.5673 β5 SdREA 0.2191 β6 SdBF 1.535β7 SdInt −0.1618 β8 SDWW2 −0.0183 β9 SDPWG2 0.175 β10 SDCWT2 0.05376 β11SDIMF2 0.002981 β12 SDREA2 0.004488 β13 SDBF2 0.2591 β14 SDINT2 0.002199β15 WWxPWG 0.04432 β16 WWxCWT −0.0183 β17 WWxMarb −0.02093 β18 WWxREA−0.03006 β19 WWxBF −0.006867 β20 WWxInt 0.02907 β21 PWGxCWT −0.2192 β22PWGxMarb −0.0904 β23 PWGxREA −0.05858 β24 PWGxBF −0.3929 β25 PWGxInt0.04765 β26 REAxCWT 0.04621 β27 REAxIMF 0.02275 β28 REAxBF 0.08042 β29REAxInt −0.006367 β30 MarbxCWT 0.04614 β31 MarbxBF 0.09427 β32 MarbxInt−0.002338 β33 BFxCWT 0.2655 β34 BFxInt −0.06213 β35 IntxCWT −0.02418 β36SdCWT3 −0.003442

Note that in some cases, not all EPD are available on sires andgrandsires. In such cases, the coefficients for the input variableschange due to correlated responses between missing traits and availabletraits. The feeder calf value in standard deviation units 333 is thenconverted to dollar units for each sire and maternal grandsire. Missingfeeder calf values for sires and grandsires are assigned to appropriatepopulation averages. The feeder calf value in dollars for sires,including missing sires, is averaged 334. The feeder calf value formaternal grandsires, including missing maternal grandsires, is averaged334. The relative market value of the sale group 335 is calculated basedon the feeder calf value of the sires and the grandsires.

In a certain embodiment, relative market value of the sale group iscalculated using the following formula:

Relative market value of the sale group=(Feeder CalfValue)_(Sires)+½(Feeder Calf Value)_(Maternal Grandsires)).

In certain embodiment, one can also generate 336 a genetic meritscorecard based on the relative market value and the genetic meritestimates. Such a genetic merit scorecard may contain a relative marketvalue of the sale group along with a star ranking of the genetic meritsof the animals on a percentile basis. An example of a genetic meritscorecard 65 is provided in FIG. 6.

FIG. 3E is an illustration of another exemplary embodiment of thecomputer-implemented methods of the invention, and is described below.

In this embodiment, a variety of genetic merit estimates 337 areinputted, including but not limited to, EPD values for genetic meritsfrom an animal, a plurality of animals, or their relatives, and/orperformance information from an individual animal, or from itscontemporary group, or its relatives. Breed EPD on sires and maternalgrandsires 338 are adjusted for differences in variances and scaling.EPD adjustment factors from USDA-ARS, the Leachman database, and/orother EPD databases may be utilized.

A regression analysis is performed to determine 339 the feeder calfvalue. Note that in some cases, not all EPD are available on sires andgrandsires. In such cases, the coefficients for the input variableschange due to correlated responses between missing traits and availabletraits. Missing feeder calf values for sires and grandsires are assignedto appropriate population averages. The feeder calf value in dollars forsires, including missing sires, is averaged 340. The feeder calf valuefor maternal grandsires, including missing maternal grandsires, isaveraged 340. The relative market value of the sale group 341 iscalculated based on the feeder calf value of the sires and thegrandsires. In an embodiment, one can also generate 342 a genetic meritscorecard based on the relative market value and the genetic meritestimates. Such a genetic merit scorecard may contain a relative marketvalue of the sale group along with a star ranking of the genetic meritsof the animals on a percentile basis. An example of a genetic meritscorecard 65 is provided in FIG. 6.

FIG. 3F is an illustration of another exemplary embodiment of thecomputer-implemented methods of the invention, and is described below.

In this embodiment, a variety of genetic merit estimates 343 areinputted, including but not limited to, EPD values for genetic meritsfrom an animal, a plurality of animals, or their relatives, and/orperformance information from an individual animal, or from itscontemporary group, or its relatives. Breed EPD on sires and maternalgrandsires 344 are adjusted for differences in variances and scaling.EPD adjustment factors from USDA-ARS, the Leachman database, and/orother EPD databases may be utilized.

A regression analysis is performed to determine 345 the feeder calfvalue. The following equation is determined 345:

Relative market value=α+(β1×Weaning EPD)+(β2×Post WeaningEPD)+(β3×Carcass Weight EPD)+(β4*Marbling EPD)+(β5×Ribeye AreaEPD)+(β6×Fat EPD)+(β7×Intake EPD)+(β8×Weaning Weight EPDsquared)+(β9×Post Weaning Gain EPD squared)+(β10×Carcass Weight EPDsquared)+(β11×Marbling EPD squared)+(β12×Ribeye Area EPDsquared)+(β13×Fat EPD squared)+(β14×Feed Intake EPDsquared)+(β15×Weaning EPD×Post Weaning EPD)+(β16×Weaning EPD×CarcassWeight EPD)+(β17×Weaning EPD×Marbling EPD)+(β18×Weaning EPD×Ribeye AreaEPD)+(β19×Weaning EPD×Fat EPD)+(β20×Weaning EPD×Intake EPD)+(β21×PostWeaning EPD×Carcass Weight EPD)+(β22×Post Weaning EPD×MarblingEPD)+(β23×Post Weaning EPD×Ribeye Area EPD)+(β24×Post Weaning EPD×FatEPD)+(β25×Post Weaning EPD×Intake EPD)+(β26×Ribeye Area EPD×CarcassWeight EPD)+(β27 Ribeye Area EPD×Marbling EPD)+(β28×Ribeye Area EPD×FatEPD)+(β29×Ribeye Area EPD×Intake EPD)+(β30×Marbling EPD×Carcass WeightEPD)+(β31×Marbling EPD×Fat EPD)+(β32×Marbling EPD×Intake EPD)+(β33 FatEPD×Carcass Weight EPD)+(β34×Fat EPD×Intake EPD)+(β35×Intake EPD×CarcassWeight EPD)+(β36×Carcass Weight EPD cubed)

Coefficients for Equation α (Intercept) 0.051200 β1 SdWW −0.179 β2 SdPWG0.07603 β3 SdCWT 0.9583 β4 SdMarb 0.5673 β5 SdREA 0.2191 β6 SdBF 1.535β7 SdInt −0.1618 β8 SDWW2 −0.0183 β9 SDPWG2 0.175 β10 SDCWT2 0.05376 β11SDIMF2 0.002981 β12 SDREA2 0.004488 β13 SDBF2 0.2591 β14 SDINT2 0.002199β15 WWxPWG 0.04432 β16 WWxCWT −0.0183 β17 WWxMarb −0.02093 β18 WWxREA−0.03006 β19 WWxBF −0.006867 β20 WWxInt 0.02907 β21 PWGxCWT −0.2192 β22PWGxMarb −0.0904 β23 PWGxREA −0.05858 β24 PWGxBF −0.3929 β25 PWGxInt0.04765 β26 REAxCWT 0.04621 β27 REAxIMF 0.02275 β28 REAxBF 0.08042 β29REAxInt −0.006367 β30 MarbxCWT 0.04614 β31 MarbxBF 0.09427 β32 MarbxInt−0.002338 β33 BFxCWT 0.2655 β34 BFxInt −0.06213 β35 IntxCWT −0.02418 β36SdCWT3 −0.003442

Note that in some cases, not all EPD are available on sires andgrandsires. In such cases, the coefficients for the input variableschange due to correlated responses between missing traits and availabletraits. Missing feeder calf values for sires and grandsires are assignedto appropriate population averages. The feeder calf value in dollars forsires, including missing sires, is averaged 346. The feeder calf valuefor maternal grandsires, including missing maternal grandsires, isaveraged 346. The relative market value of the sale group 347 iscalculated based on the feeder calf value of the sires and thegrandsires. In a certain embodiment, relative market value of the FeederCalf sale group is calculated using the following formula:

Relative market value of the Feeder Calf sale group=(Feeder CalfValue)_(Sires)+½(Feeder Calf Value)_(Maternal Grandsires)

In an embodiment, one can also generate 348 a genetic merit scorecardbased on the relative market value and the genetic merit estimates. Sucha genetic merit scorecard may contain a relative market value of thesale group along with a star ranking of the genetic merits of theanimals on a percentile basis. An example of a genetic merit scorecard65 is provided in FIG. 6.

By way of example, an embodiment of the present invention can include acomputer-implemented method to determine a national average market valueof an animal or a plurality of animals, based on genetic merits. Areported number of potential sires registered by each breed by year ofbirth and average Expected Progeny Differences for all potential siresof each such year are obtained from a database. Then, the within breedExpected Progeny Differences are adjusted using breed factors thataccount for scaling and base differences between breeds. Economicweighting factors based on simulation models are applied to the adjustedExpected Progeny Differences. Values for non-reported breeds areestimated based on information obtained from breeds with similarbiological characteristics. The national average market value isdetermined by allocating proportional contribution of each breed as apercentage of the total number of potential sires registered. Thisnational average market value is the base to which all relative marketvalues are compared.

Furthermore, the systems, computer-readable program product, and relatedcomputer-implemented methods to generate a genetic merit scorecardaccording to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and asdiscussed above, can be implemented using one or more computers, one ormore servers, one or more databases, and one or more communicationsnetworks. The systems, according to exemplary embodiments of theinvention, are perhaps best illustrated by FIGS. 4-9.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention include an online geneticmerit scorecard system, as illustrated by using an example in FIG. 4A.An online system indicates that the system is accessible to a user overa network and may encompass accessibility through data networks,including but not limited to the internet, intranets, private networksor dedicated channels. This online genetic merit scorecard system 401includes one or more processors 403 a-403 n, an input/output unit 404adapted to be in communication with the one or more processors, one ormore genetic merit databases 406 in communication with the one or moreprocessors to store and associate a plurality of genetic merit estimateswith a plurality of economic weighting factors, one or more electronicinterfaces 407 positioned to display an online genetic merit scorecardand defining one or more genetic merit interfaces, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium 402. The non-transitory computer-readablemedium is positioned in communication with the one or more processorsand has one or more computer programs stored thereon including a set ofinstructions 405. This set of instructions when executed by one or moreprocessors cause the one or more processors to perform operations ofgenerating the genetic merit interface to display to a user thereof oneor more online genetic merit scorecards, determining relative marketvalue and ranking of the genetic merits of the sale group responsive toreceiving the plurality of genetic merit estimates from the one or moregenetic merit databases and outputting to the one or more electronicinterfaces 407 the online genetic merit scorecard for the sale groupresponsive to determining the relative market value and the ranking ofthe genetic merits for the sale group. The genetic merit interfaceallows an input of a plurality of genetic merit estimates associatedwith a sale group. In certain embodiments, the set of instructions mayfurther include determining relative market value for the sale group byuse of one or more multivariate non-linear regression equations based onthe plurality of genetic merit estimates. The sale group includes cattlethat are fed and harvested for beef production. The online genetic meritscorecard includes the relative market value and one or more rankings ofgenetic merits of the sale group. An example of an online genetic meritscorecard 65 is provided in FIG. 6. Various portions of systems andmethods described herein, may include or be executed on one or morecomputer systems similar to system 401.

In some embodiments, the online genetic merit scorecard system includesone or more processors, an input/output unit adapted to be incommunication with the one or more processors, one or more genetic meritdatabases in communication with the one or more processors to store andassociate a plurality of genetic merit estimates with a plurality ofeconomic outcomes and a plurality of economic weighting factors; andnon-transitory computer-readable medium. This non-transitorycomputer-readable medium is positioned in communication with the one ormore processors and having one or more computer programs stored thereonincluding a set of instructions. This set of instructions when executedby one or more processors cause the one or more processors to performoperations of utilizing one or more electronic interfaces positioned todisplay an online genetic merit scorecard and defining one or moregenetic merit interfaces, then determining, by one or more processors, aplurality of economic weighting factors responsive to receiving theplurality of genetic merit estimates from the genetic merit interfacesand economic outcomes from the one or more genetic merit databases. Theinstructions further include determining, by one or more processors,relative market value and ranking of the genetic merit estimates for thesale group responsive to receiving the plurality of genetic meritestimates and the plurality of economic weighting factors from the oneor more genetic merit databases and outputting to the one or moreelectronic interfaces 407 the online genetic merit scorecard for thesale group responsive to determining the relative market value and theranking of the genetic merits of the sale group. The genetic meritinterface allows an input of a plurality of genetic merit estimatesassociated with a sale group. The sale group includes cattle that arefed and harvested for beef production. The online genetic meritscorecard includes the relative market value and one or more rankings ofgenetic merits of the sale group.

In certain embodiments, provided is a computer-implemented method todetermine relative market value of a sale group. The sale group includescattle that are fed and harvested for beef production. The methodincludes determining, by one or more processors, a plurality of economicweighting factors responsive to a plurality of genetic merit estimatesassociated with the sale group and one or more economic outcomes, andthen determining, by one or more processors, relative market value andranking of the genetic merits of the sale group responsive to theplurality of genetic merit estimates and a plurality of economicweighting factors. The method includes outputting to one or moreelectronic interfaces 407, positioned to display an online genetic meritscorecard to thereby define one or more genetic merit interfaces, theonline genetic merit scorecard for the sale group responsive todetermining the relative market value and the ranking of the geneticmerits of the sale group. The online genetic merit scorecard includesthe relative market value and one or more rankings of genetic merits ofthe sale group being displayed on the one or more genetic meritinterfaces.

In certain embodiments, the online genetic merit scorecard may furtherinclude one or more of documentation of calf management practicesassociated with the sale group positioned to be readily accessible to auser of the one or more electronic interfaces. In certain embodiments,the online genetic merit scorecard may further include one or more ofsource and age identification of the sale group through an USDA approvedprocess positioned to be readily accessible to a user of the one or moreelectronic interfaces.

As illustrated by using an example in FIG. 4B, the methods ofdetermining the relative market value of a sale group as discussed abovecan be driven by a computer 41 that can include, according to variousexemplary embodiments of the present invention, at least a memory 42, aprocessor, and an input/output device. As used herein, the processor caninclude, for example, one or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, andother analog or digital circuit components configured to perform thefunctions described herein. The processor is the “brain” of therespective computer, and as such, can execute one or more computerprogram product or products. For example, the processor in the geneticmerit scorecard system can execute a computer program product orinstructions 43 stored in memory 42 of the computer 41, including, forexample, a product to facilitate the generation of a genetic meritscorecard. Such a product can include a set of instructions to display44 a genetic merit interface at a remote computer that would allow auser to input genetic merit estimates of an animal or a plurality ofanimals. Such a product can also include instructions to calculate 45economic outcomes responsive to these genetic merit estimates, andutilize 46 all genetic merit estimates and associated economic weightingfactors to determine 47 a relative market value of a sale group. In anembodiment, one can also generate 48 a genetic merit scorecard based onthe relative market value and the genetic merit estimates. Such agenetic merit scorecard may contain a relative market value along with astar ranking of the genetic merits of the animals on a percentile basis.An example of a genetic merit scorecard 65 is provided in FIG. 6.

The processor can be any commercially available terminal processor, orplurality of terminal processors, adapted for use in or with thecomputer 41 or system 401. A processor may be any suitable processorcapable of executing/performing instructions. A processor may include acentral processing unit (CPU) that carries out program instructions toperform the basic arithmetical, logical, and input/output operations ofthe computer 41 or system 401. A processor may include code (e.g.,processor firmware, a protocol stack, a database management system, anoperating system, or a combination thereof) that creates an executionenvironment for program instructions. A processor may include aprogrammable processor. A processor may include general and/or specialpurpose microprocessors. The processor can be, for example, the Intel®Xeon® multicore terminal processors, Intel® micro-architecture Nehalem,and AMD Opteron™ multicore terminal processors, Intel® Core® multicoreprocessors, Intel® Core iSeries® multicore processors, and otherprocessors with single or multiple cores as is known and understood bythose skilled in the art. The processor can be operated by operatingsystem software installed on memory, such as Windows Vista, Windows NT,Windows XP, UNIX or UNIX-like family of systems, including BSD andGNU/Linux, and Mac OS X. The processor can also be, for example the TIOMAP 3430, Arm Cortex A8, Samsung S5PC100, or Apple A4. The operatingsystem for the processor can further be, for example, the Symbian OS,Apple iOS, Blackberry OS, Android, Microsoft Windows CE, Microsoft Phone7, or PalmOS. Computer system 401 may be a uni-processor systemincluding one processor (e.g., processor 403 a), or a multi-processorsystem including any number of suitable processors (e.g., 403 a-403 n).Multiple processors may be employed to provide for parallel and/orsequential execution of one or more portions of the techniques describedherein. Processes and logic flows described herein may be performed byone or more programmable processors executing one or more computerprograms to perform functions by operating on input data and generatingcorresponding output. Processes and logic flows described herein may beperformed by, and apparatus can also be implemented as, special purposelogic circuitry, e.g., an FPGA (field programmable gate array) or anASIC (application specific integrated circuit). Computer system 1000 mayinclude a computer system employing a plurality of computer systems(e.g., distributed computer systems) to implement various processingfunctions.

A computer 41 as illustrated in the example described in FIG. 4B canfurther include a non-transitory memory or more than one non-transitorymemories (referred to as memory 42 herein). Memory 42 can be configured,for example, to store data, including computer program product orproducts, which include instructions for execution on the processor.Memory can include, for example, both non-volatile memory, e.g., harddisks, flash memory, optical disks, and the like, and volatile memory,e.g., SRAM, DRAM, and SDRAM as required to support embodiments of theinstant invention. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, though thememory 42 is depicted on, e.g., a motherboard, of the computer 41, thememory 42 can also be a separate component or device, e.g., flashmemory, connected to the computer 41 through an input/output unit or atransceiver. As one skilled in the art will understand, the programproduct or products, along with one or more databases, data libraries,data tables, data fields, or other data records can be stored either inmemory 42 or in separate memory (also non-transitory), for example,associated with a storage medium such as a database (not pictured)locally accessible to the computer 41, positioned in communication withthe computer 41 through the I/O device. Non-transitory memory furthercan include drivers, modules, libraries, or engines allowing the geneticmerit scorecard computer to function as a dedicated software/hardwaresystem (i.e., a software service running on a dedicated computer) suchas an application server, web server, database server, file server, homeserver, standalone server. For example, non-transitory memory caninclude a server-side markup language processor (e.g., a PHP processor)to interpret server-side markup language and generate dynamic webcontent (e.g., a web page document) to serve to client devices over acommunications network.

Embodiments of the present invention include generating a genetic meritinterface for acquiring the information associated with the sale group,for example, genetic merit estimates, management information,environmental conditions, nutritional conditions, and other informationrelevant to the assessment of the sale group. In an exemplary embodimentof the present invention, the genetic merit interface is generated by acomputer program product in communication with a computer associatedwith a genetic merit scorecard system. As is perhaps best illustrated byFIG. 5, exemplary embodiments of the present invention include a geneticmerit interface. As used herein, a genetic merit interface is agraphical user interface facilitating the acquisition of data from theuser to determine the relative market value of an animal or a pluralityof animals. This electronic interface can also display the genetic meritscorecard. The graphical user interface device can include, for example,a CRT monitor, a LCD monitor, a LED monitor, a plasma monitor, an OLEDscreen, a television, a DLP monitor, a video projection, athree-dimensional projection, a holograph, a touch screen, or any othertype of user interface which allows a user to interact with one of theplurality of remote computers using images as is known and understood bythose skilled in the art. FIG. 5 for example illustrates a genetic meritinterface 51 that can be displayed on one or more display devices ofremote computers used by the users according to an exemplary embodimentof the present invention.

The genetic merit interface 51 can include, by way of example, a userinformation form that facilitates the acquisition of data like user name52, user address 53, and a description of the herd 54. The genetic meritinterface may contain user login and user verification features. Thedescription of the herd field 54 may be modified to include thedescription of one animal or of a plurality of animals or of a salegroup. The genetic merit interface 51 can also include mechanisms 55 toallow the user to input genetic merit estimates. These mechanisms caninclude, for example, a drop-down selection tool to facilitate theselection of values already available in the genetic merit scorecardsystem by using a “Choose EPD” option. These mechanisms can alsoinclude, for example, manual input by the user of EPD values by choosingthe “Enter EPD” option. The genetic merit interface 51 can also includeuser navigation buttons, like a button to allow the user to input moregenetic merit estimates by using the “Click to add more Genetic MeritEstimates” option 56. The user navigation buttons can also includebuttons such as “Submit” that allow the user to submit the data to themerit scorecard system, and the system can generate relative marketvalues and display the values such as relative market value/head 57 orrelative market value/cwt 58. The genetic merit interface 51 can alsoinclude buttons to generate a genetic merit scorecard 59. For example, abutton such as “Click to generate Genetic Merit Scorecard” would allowthe user to access a relative market value and the genetic meritestimates in the format, for example, as provided in the illustration inFIG. 6. The genetic merit interface 51 can also include button ornavigation options for the user to add more information to the geneticmerit scorecard system, including, but not limited to, performanceinformation from an individual animal, or from its contemporary group,or its relatives. The genetic merit interface 51 can also include buttonor navigation options for the user to add more information to thegenetic merit scorecard system, including but not limited to,environmental conditions, management information, nutritionalinformation, or combinations thereof. The genetic merit interface 51 caninclude, by way of example, links to other services available for theuser. These links can be, for example, hyper-text markup language(“HTML”) links or any other kind of linking interface as known andunderstood by those skilled in the art. The user input and navigationoptions available on the genetic merit interface may be used by means ofinput devices, such as a mouse or a keyboard. The keyboard can include,for example, an alphanumeric keyboard, an IBM PC keyboard, an Applekeyboard, a chorded keyboard, a brail keyboard, a numeric keypad, astenograph, a QWERTY keyboard, and any other electronic keyboard as isknown and understood by those skilled in the art. The mouse can include,for example, a mechanical mouse, an optical mouse, a three-dimensionalmouse, a gyroscopic mouse, an inertial mouse, a double mouse system, atrack ball, a laser mouse, or any other pointing device that detectsmotion relative to a supporting surface as is known and understood bythose skilled in the art. Moreover, according to various embodiments ofthe present invention, the graphical user interface 51 can be anInternet website, accessible by a communications network, and caninclude a graphical user interface title (not shown), a graphical userinterface subtitle (not shown), and one or more graphical user interfaceinput components as known and understood by those skilled in the art.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a genetic merit interface 51 displayedat a remote computer, along with an exemplary representation of anoutput, a genetic merit scorecard 65, according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention. The genetic merit scorecard 65 caninclude information 61 about the user and/or owner of the animal or theplurality of animals. It 61 can also include a description of the animalor the plurality of animals. It can also include the number of animalsand their base weight as illustrated in section 62. The genetic meritscorecard 65 can also include the genetic merit estimates provided bythe user through the genetic merit interface 51. The genetic meritscorecard 65 also includes the relative market value 64 of the salegroup displayed as a relative market value/head or relative marketvalue/cwt. The genetic merit scorecard may include a star ranking 63 ofthe genetic merits of the sale group as compared to the national orindustry values on a percentile basis. As understood by those havingskill in the art, there are numerous ways and variations forimplementing the comparison of the genetic merits of the sale group tothe national or industry values. For example, instead of using stars,the ranking system may utilize alphabets, numerals, characters, symbols,or combinations thereof.

The star rankings as described in Table 2 reveal where a particular salegroup rank on a percentile basis within the industry. Values of geneticmerit estimates <20^(th) percentile is one star, 20-40^(th) percentileis two stars, 40-60^(th) percentile is three stars, 60-80^(th)percentile is four stars, >80^(th) percentile is five stars. Theancestral EPD, for example, the sire's and maternal grandsire's EPD ofgenetic merits may be used to estimate the rank of the sale group. In anembodiment, the sale group's rank is then compared to values within aproprietary database to derive the percentile rank. In otherembodiments, the sale group's rank may be compared to values withinpublic databases to derive the percentile rank.

TABLE 2 Percentile Rank Star Ranking within the industry ★ <20^(th)percentile ★★ 20-40^(th) percentile ★★★ 40-60^(th) percentile ★★★★60-80^(th) percentile ★★★★★ >80^(th) percentile

The star rankings as described in Table 2 tell the potential buyer ofthe sale group why this group is worth more or less than the average.These component genetic merits drive the value of the relative marketprediction. The genetic merit scorecard 65 also includes the relativemarket value 64 of the sale group displayed as a relative marketvalue/head or relative market value/cwt. As understood by those havingskill in the art, there are numerous ways and variations forimplementing the present invention.

Historically, cattle buyers have placed significantly higher value forfeeder cattle with a known history of prior animal health andmanagement. Age and Source-verified cattle have attracted a premium inthe export market for the past several years. Age and Sourceverification continues to provide value through specific market channelsand as the foundation for niche market products and/or export markets.In certain embodiments, the genetic merit scorecard system may be partof a livestock certification program. For example, the genetic meritscorecard system can be used by feedyards as part of a livestockcertification program, like the “Reputation Feeder Cattle” (RFC)program, as illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B. Using third party auditedprograms, for example RFC, feedyards and buyers can identify cattlequality based on several principles, like genetic merit, calf managementpractices, age and source verification, compliance with non-hormonetreatment, and cattle care and handling guidelines. In an embodimentshown in FIG. 7A, this exemplary program consists of several parts toaid in marketing and procurement decisions, for example: 1) GeneticMerit Scorecard, 2) Calf Management certification, and 3) Age and Sourceverification. In another embodiment shown in FIG. 7B, the “ReputationFeeder Cattle” (RFC) program consists of several parts to aid inmarketing and procurement decisions, for example: 1) Genetic MeritScorecard, 2) Calf Management certification, 3) Age and Sourceverification, 4) Non-hormone Treated Cattle certification, and 5) CattleCare and Handling verification. Once quality feeder cattle areidentified, sustaining them at the right nutritional and managementframework is important to achieve the most economic value. The geneticmerit of a sale group cannot be realized without proper health andmanagement practices. Without proper documentation of health and othermanagement practices, buyers will discount the realizable value of thegenetic merit of the animals due to the risk of sickness and death.Documented animal health and management programs, like weaning andvaccination programs enhance the revenue available to cow-calfproducers. The most valuable cattle are the ones with a strongnutritional foundation, solid health history and the genetic backgroundto perform both in the feedlot and at the packing plant. In certainembodiments, the sale group has documented vaccination, mineral, andmanagerial processes. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B,the sample sale group has its prescribed veterinary practices audited toshow compliance with vaccination protocols. The certificate illustratedin FIG. 7B also provides documentation regarding both an USDA audit forcompliance with the NHTC program, and a third party audit to showcompliance of the cattle care and handling protocols in compliance withspecific portions of the National Beef Quality Assurance guidelines.

Documentation such as those discussed above and in FIGS. 7A and 7B helpsthe buyer ascertain the costs and risk associated with realizing theeconomic potential of the sale group as predicted by the relative marketvalue. In certain embodiments, the sale group is composed of younganimals, selected by age and source. Source and age verification helpsensure that the buyer is receiving the sale group for which the GeneticMerit Scorecard was generated. Verification of source and age andNon-Hormone Treated Cattle (NHTC) must be documented and verifiedthrough a recognized United States Department of Agriculture program.The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service's Non-Hormone Treated Cattle(NHTC) Program controls the quality measures in the trade and export ofnon-hormone treated beef between the European Union (EU) and the UnitedStates. USDA's Audit, Review, and Compliance (ARC) Branch conductsassessments to verify that the production of non-hormone treated cattlemeet the specified product requirements of the NHTC Program guidelinesfor export to the EU. Production companies that would like to becertified as an approved NHTC Program provider must submit a writtenquality management system manual outlining the policies and proceduresemployed to ensure effective quality control compliance in the beefproduction process of non-hormone treated cattle. The compliance programis reviewed and certified through independent, third party auditsconducted by the ARC Branch.

Other optional USDA audited certifications include the NE3 and the GrassFed program. Through the Never Ever 3 (NE3) program, the cattle meet aniche consumer demand for beef that is certified as never being givenantibiotics, growth promoting hormones and/or feed ingredientscontaining animal by-products. Certain consumers desire to consume beefwhich has not been fed grain from birth to harvest. Through the Grassfedprogram, an operator in the beef production process can get the “GrassFed” marketing claim by demonstrating that only grass and forage havebeen consumed by the animal, with the exception of milk consumed priorto weaning. This program provides verification necessary to meet thedemands of this market channel. The genetic scorecard may containverification of compliance with other USDA programs like NE3 and GrassFed programs. In other embodiments, the genetic scorecard may beincluded as part of the NE3 and Grass Fed program verification process.

The genetic scorecard may contain the age and source verification andNHTC information. In other embodiments, the genetic scorecard may beincluded as part of the age and source verification process, asillustrated in FIG. 7A. In other embodiments, the genetic scorecard maybe included along with verification of age and source, calf managementpractices, non-hormone treatment protocols, appropriate care andhandling guidelines, as illustrated in FIG. 7B. In an embodiment of thegenetic merit scorecard system, a genetic merit scorecard may begenerated that includes a recommended feed regimen for the sale group tomaintain the relative market value based on the plurality of geneticmerit estimates and other information provided by the user.

As is perhaps best illustrated by FIG. 8, various exemplary embodimentsof the present invention beneficially can include a genetic meritscorecard system to determine a relative market value of a plurality ofanimals, for example, a herd of calves of livestock. The genetic meritscorecard system can include one or more processors and a non-transitorycomputer-readable medium having computer program stored thereon,including a set of instructions, that when executed by one or moreprocessors cause the one or more processors to perform operations ofgenerating a genetic merit interface to display at one or more of theplurality of remote computers, the genetic merit interface allowing aninput of a plurality of genetic merit estimates for an animal or aplurality of animals and to transmit from the respective remote computerthe plurality of genetic merit estimates to the genetic merit scorecardsystem; determining a relative market value for the an animal or theplurality of animals responsive to receiving the plurality of geneticmerit estimates at a respective remote computer, and outputting agenetic merit scorecard for an animal or a plurality of animalsresponsive to determining the relative market value.

Such a system can include, for example, a communications network 710, aplurality of remote computers 720, a genetic merit scorecard computer702, associated servers 701, and a database 730. One or more entitiesmay control the genetic merit scorecard administration 700 that includesa genetic merit scorecard computer 702, and associated servers 701, withcommunication to a database 730, and a plurality of remote computers720. The communications network 710 can include a telephony network, awireline network, a wireless network, a wide area network, a local areanetwork, an infrared network, a radio-frequency network, an opticalnetwork, or any other communications network now or hereinafter createdas is known and understood by those skilled in the art. Each of theplurality of remote computers 720 allows a human user, such as alivestock owner, to interact with the genetic merit scorecard system.The human user can be, for example, an owner of livestock or an employeeor agent thereof. The human user, however, is not limited to owners oflivestock or livestock producers. Any human being can be a human user.That is, according to other exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention, the human user can be an insurer, a livestock purchaser, alivestock seller, a rancher, a cow-calf operations owner, a feedlotoperator, a member of a breed association, a breed association, aninsurance issuing entity, or any other person working with livestock andother animals as is known and understood by those skilled in the art.Each of the remote computers 720 allows such a human user, for example,to input information associated to a sale group as is described hereinwith respect to the genetic merit scorecard system. Each of the remotecomputers 720 allows such a human user, for example, to receive therelative market value of a sale group, and to receive a genetic meritscorecard.

Each of the plurality of remote computers 720 can be, for example, anytype of stationary or portable personal computing device such as adesktop computer, laptop computer, micro computer, mini computer,netbook computer, ultra-mobile computer, tablet computer, handheldcomputer, mobile telephone, personal digital assistant (PDA), so-called“smartphone,” or any other computing device intended to be operateddirectly by an end user with no intervening computer operator as isknown and understood by those skilled in the art. Each of the pluralityof remote computers 720 can include, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, agraphical user interface device, a display, a microphone, electronicspeakers, a modem, a LAN card, a computer graphics card, a printer, ascanner, a disk drive, a tape drive, a camera, a Wi-Fi card, a PCMCIAcard, or any other peripheral device as is known and understood by thoseskilled in the art. If the remote computer is a mobile device, as isknown and understood by those skilled in the art, the mobile device caninclude, but is not limited to, a cellphone device, a handheld device, ahandheld computer, a palmtop, a handheld device, or any other mobilecomputing device. Such a mobile device can also include, for example, adisplay screen with a touch input user interface or a miniaturekeyboard, or a touch-screen interface. A PDA can include, for example, aprocessor, memory, an input device, and an output device. Additionally,a PDA, for instance, can include a palmtop computer, a smartphone, apalm device, a portable media player, a Wi-Fi enabled device, a globalpositioning system device, or any other handheld computing device now orhereinafter developed as is known and understood by those skilled in theart. Embodiments having one or more computers as a laptop computerinclude, for example, the Apple MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Proproduct families; the Dell Inspiron and Latitude product families; theLenovo ThinkPad and IdeaPad product families; the Panasonic Toughbookproduct families; and the Toshiba Satellite product families. Examplesof embodiments having one or more remote computers 720 as a smartphoneinclude, for example, the iPhone series by Apple Computer, Inc. ofCupertino, Calif. and the Droid devices by Motorola, Inc. of Schaumburg,Ill.

Each of the remote computers 720 allows such a human user, for example,to receive the relative market value of a sale group, and to receive agenetic merit scorecard. The relative market value of a sale group andthe genetic merit scorecard may be received by a user in a variety offormats, including but not limited to, paper print-outs, graphical ortext displays on a computer or mobile device, electronic messages likean e-mail or text, online formats, and other equivalent formats. Theoutput from a genetic merit scorecard system can include othertechniques including updating a record in a database, updating aspreadsheet, and sending instructions and/or data to specializedsoftware, such as an application on a mobile device, or combinationsthereof. In other embodiments, the output from a genetic merit scorecardsystem may include formats and reports stored on computer readablemedium (such as a CD. USB flash drive or other removable storage device,computer hard drive, or computer network server, etc.). The output froma genetic merit scorecard system, particularly those stored on computerreadable medium, can be part of a database, which may optionally beaccessible via the internet, such as a database of relative marketvalues or genetic merit estimates associated to one or more sale groupsstored on a computer network server. The database may be a securedatabase with security features that limit access to the relative marketvalues or genetic merit scorecards, such as to allow only authorizedusers to view them. The output from a genetic merit scorecard system maybe transmitted to a plurality of potential buyers of the livestock salegroups. The output from a genetic merit scorecard system may betransmitted to web-based public or private livestock sales and marketingsystems. Such sales and marketing systems may include online auctions,live auctions, individualized cattle purchases, broker mediated cattlepurchases, video marketing, online marketing, and other combinationsthereof. In other embodiments, the output from a genetic merit scorecardsystem may accompany the description of a sale group, and may bemarketed or distributed in different formats, including but not limitedto, written catalogs, websites, specialized sales software, or satellitetelevision.

According to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, thedatabase 730 can be any database structure as is known and understood bythose skilled in the art. The databases discussed herein, includingdatabase 730, can be, for example, any sort of organized collection ofdata in digital form. Databases, including database 730, can include thedatabase structure as well as the computer programs that providedatabase services to other computer programs or computers, as defined bythe client-server model, and any computer dedicated to running suchcomputer programs (i.e., a database server). An exemplary databasemodel, for example, is Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2. Databases caninclude a database management system (DBMS) consisting of software thatoperates the database, provides storage, access, security, backup andother facilities. DBMS can support multiple query languages, including,for example, SQL, XQuery, OQL, LINQ, JDOQL, and JPAQL. Databases canimplement any known database model or database models, including, forexample, a relational model, a hierarchical model, a network model, oran object-oriented model. The DBMS can include Data Definition Language(DDL) for defining the structure of the database, Data Control Language(DCL) for defining security/access controls, and Data ManipulationLanguage (DML) for querying and updating data. The DBMS can furtherinclude interface drivers, which are code libraries that provide methodsto prepare statements, execute statements, fetch results, etc. Examplesof interface drivers include ODBC, JDBC, MySQL/PHP, FireBird/Python.DBMS can further include a SQL engine to interpret and execute the DDL,DCL, and DML statements, which includes a compiler, optimizer, andexecutor. DBMS can further include a transaction engine to ensure thatmultiple SQL statements either succeed or fail as a group, according toapplication dictates. DBMS can further include a relational engine toimplement relational objects such as Table, Index, and Referentialintegrity constraints. DBMS can further include a storage engine tostore and retrieve data from secondary storage, as well as managingtransaction commit and rollback, backup and recovery, etc.

Data stored in fields of the databases can be updated as needed, forexample, by a user with administrative access to the database to add newdata to the libraries in the database as they become supported. It willbe appreciated by those having skill in the art that data describedherein as being stored in the databases can also be stored or maintainedin non-transitory memory and accessed among subroutines, functions,modules, objects, program products, or processes, for example, accordingto objects and/or variables of such subroutines, functions, modules,objects, program products or processes. Any of the fields of therecords, tables, libraries, and so on of the database can bemulti-dimensional structures resembling an array or matrix and caninclude values or references to other fields, records, tables, orlibraries. Any of the foregoing fields can contain either actual valuesor a link, a join, a reference, or a pointer to other local or remotesources for such values.

Database 730 can be, for example, a single database, multiple databases,or a virtual database, including data from multiple sources, forexample, servers on the World Wide Web. The genetic merit database 730can contain several types of data, including but not limited to, geneticmerit estimates, economic weighting factors, animal performanceinformation, relatives' performance information, performance informationfrom contemporary groups, historical sales data, sales projection data,and real-time market values for animals and operational expenses, likefeed, labor, interest, and health. Database 730 can also contain geneticmerit estimates, including but not limited to, EPD from relatives, andcontemporary groups for average daily gain, carcass weight, marbling,back fat thickness, feed to gain ratio, ribeye area, yield grade,tenderness, percentage of choice, pedigree, breed effects, feed intake,animal health, weaning weight, post weaning weight gain, maintenanceenergy, maternal merit, birth weight, or residual feed intake, residualaverage daily gain, or any linear or non-linear combination of any twoor more of these traits. Database 730 can be the inventors' proprietarydatabase (e.g., the Leachman database) or one populated with data frompublicly available databases.

According to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, forexample, and as illustrated by FIG. 9, the genetic merit database 730can be part of a data warehouse 931. Such a data warehouse may includeother databases, for example a user database 932, an administrationdatabase 933, content from or links to other public databases 934, anauction database 936, and/or a broker database 935. The user database932 can be configured, for example, to store any data related to userinformation, including user names, user addresses, membershipinformation, payment records, data related to user's herd or livestock,and any other information related to a user and his sale group, as isknown and understood by those skilled in the art. The administrationdatabase 933 can be configured, for example, to store any data relatedto determining relative market values and generating genetic meritscorecards, like data related to the number of users, the animals and/orherds used, payment records, system and access updates, databaseupdates, and any other information related to maintenance and operationof the genetic merit scorecard system, as is known and understood bythose skilled in the art. The public databases 934 can contain severaltypes of data, including but not limited to, genetic merit estimates,animal performance information, performance information from relatives,performance information from contemporary groups, historical sales data,sales projection data, and real-time market values for animals andoperational expenses, like feed, labor, interest, and health. Database934 can also contain publicly available information related to the saleof livestock, for example, genetic merit estimates obtained fromrelatives of the animal or the sale group. Such genetic merit estimateswould include EPD of at least two of the following: average daily gain,carcass weight, marbling, back fat thickness, feed to gain ratio, ribeyearea, yield grade, tenderness, percentage of choice, pedigree, breedeffects, feed intake, weaning weight, post-weaning weight gain,maintenance energy, maternal merit, birth weight, residual feed intake,animal health, residual average daily gain, or any linear or non-linearcombination of any two or more of these traits. The broker database 935can be configured, for example, to store any data related to livestocksales. For example, such data may include data related to buyers oflivestock, sellers of livestock, past purchasing and selling behaviors,past purchases, past sales, and related geographic information. Theauction database 936 can be configured, for example, to store any datarelated to livestock auctions. For example, such data may include datarelated to buyers of livestock, sellers of livestock, past bidding andpurchasing behaviors, past purchases, and related geographicinformation. The auction database 936 can be configured to storehistorical auction data, such as the characteristics of the sale groupsand the final sale prices. Databases can be, for example, a MicrosoftSQL server providing database services as an enterprise-class serverthat providing reliable capabilities when used to support webapplications. Microsoft SQL can store, for example, all data required bythe genetic merit scorecard system for administration, user, andapplication support.

FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of a system, computer-implementedmethod, and non-transitory, computer-readable medium configured to runon the internet to determine relative market value of a sale group,according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Suchexemplary embodiments of the present invention can provide a home page901 that facilitates selection, confirmation, and purchase of geneticmerit scorecards via the Internet 900. Genetic Merit Scorecard computers700 would launch a home page 901 at remote computers 720 or at buyercomputers 740. The home page can be operably configured to interfacewith a user interface 911, an online business administration portal 921,and a data warehouse 931. The user interface 911 can include, forexample, at least one or more of several modules, including but notlimited to, a genetic merit scorecard information module 912, a geneticmerit interface module 913, a genetic merit scorecard generating module914, a cattle certification module 915, an auction module 916, a brokermodule 917, and a payment center module 918. Whereas the user interface911 can be, for example, the face of the system to the user, the onlinebusiness administration portal 921 can be, for example, the face of thesystem to the entity that is operating the genetic merit scorecardsystem. The business administration portal 921 can therefore include,for example, a user administration module 922, a database administrationmodule 923, a financial administration module 924, and an applicationadministration module 925. The financial administration module 924 canbe configured to communicate with the payment center 918, and acceptdifferent mechanisms of payment. Payment mechanisms, include forexample, electronic checks (ACH), paper checks by U.S. mail, debitcards, credit cards, gift cards, coupon card, coupon, debit cards byU.S. mail, credit cards by U.S. mail, Internet cash, Internet paymentmechanisms such as PayPal, and any other payment mechanism now known orherein after developed as is known and understood by those skilled inthe art.

Although the various computer program product modules, including the agenetic merit scorecard information module 912, a genetic meritinterface module 913, a genetic merit scorecard generating module 914, acattle certification module 915, an auction module 916, a broker module917, a payment center module 918, a user administration module 922, adatabase administration module 923, a financial administration module924, and an application administration module 925, are described hereinas individual computer program product modules, those having skill inthe art will appreciate that these computer program product modules mayexist as combinations and may comprise other modules or sub-modules thatperform functions described of these computer program product modules.In large-scale implementations or operations, these computer programproduct modules may comprise several sub-modules according to techniquesor programming conventions known to those having skill in the art. Thefollowing description will be understood by those having skill in theart to not limit the invention to using any particular type, style, ornumber of objects, classes, functions, or subroutines over any otherobject, class, function, or subroutines that will achieve the functionsdescribed herein.

FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of a system, computer-implementedmethod, and non-transitory, computer-readable medium configured to runon the internet to determine relative market value of a sale group andutilize this as part of an auction system, according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention. The auction computer 750 isconfigured to be in communication with the genetic merit scorecardcomputer 700. While FIG. 10 shows two individual systems, the twosystems may be a single computer designed to carry out all functionscontemplated by this embodiment of the invention. The auction computer750 is configured to have an input/output device 752, supported byseveral processors or servers 751. A buyer wishing to access the auctionthrough buyer computers 740 is directed through the genetic meritinterface to an auction module. In certain embodiments, the geneticmerit interface may have a specialized buyer interface that allows theacquisition of all information from the buyer. The buyer interfaceallows a buyer to view at least the genetic merit scorecard and tosubmit bids on price of the sale group. The buyer's information isrelayed and compared to the data in an auction database 936 that is incommunication with the genetic merit database and is configured to storeany data related to livestock auctions. For example, such data mayinclude data related to buyers of livestock, sellers of livestock, pastbidding and purchasing behaviors, past purchases, and related geographicinformation. The auction database 936 can be configured to storehistorical auction data, such as the characteristics of the sale groupsand the final sale prices.

In another embodiment, the genetic merit scorecard system can beaccessed through a buyer computer at a live auction. In this embodiment,the buyer accesses the genetic merit scorecard of the sale groups thathe is interested in at the live auction. Here, the buyer is using thegenetic merit scorecard system only to access information regarding therelative market value of the sale groups and the genetic merit rankings.He is not using the online auction options of the system.

The buyer computer 740 can be any device, including but not limited to,a desktop computer, laptop computer, microcomputer, minicomputer,netbook computer, ultra-mobile computer, tablet computer, handheldcomputer, mobile telephone, personal digital assistant (PDA), so-called“smartphone,” or any other computing device intended to be operateddirectly by an end user with no intervening computer operator as isknown and understood by those skilled in the art.

FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram of a system, computer-implementedmethod, and non-transitory, computer-readable medium configured to runon the internet to determine relative market value of a sale group andutilize the genetic merit scorecard as part of a brokering system tofacilitate transactions between interested buyers and sellers of salegroups, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.The broker computer 770 is configured to be in communication with thegenetic merit scorecard computer 700. While FIG. 10 shows two individualsystems, the two systems may be a single computer designed to carry outall functions contemplated by this embodiment of the invention. Thebroker computer 770 is configured to have an input/output device 772,supported by several processors or servers 771. A buyer wishing toaccess the system through buyer computers 740 is directed through thegenetic merit interface to a broker module. In certain embodiments, thegenetic merit interface may have a specialized buyer interface thatallows the acquisition of all information from the buyer. The buyerinterface allows a buyer to input a plurality of purchasingrequirements. The buyer's information is relayed and compared to thedata in a broker database 935 that is in communication with the geneticmerit database 730 and is configured to store any data related to salegroups available for purchase and purchasing requirements of prospectivebuyers. The broker database 935 may store any information required bythe system to allow selection, customization, and purchase of a salegroup that meets the particular buyer's requirements.

Embodiments of the present invention include generating a broker modulefor acquiring information from the buyer regarding his purchasingrequirements. The buyer is also allowed to view the sale groupsavailable for purchase and other information associated with the salegroup, for example, genetic merit estimates, environmental conditions,nutritional conditions, and other information relevant to the assessmentof the sale group. The genetic merit interface is the graphical userinterface facilitating the acquisition of data from the user, who may bea seller, buyer, or seeker of information related to sale groups.

The genetic merit scorecard system allows for users to pay for thegenetic merit score card and relative market value determination for thesale groups. As described through an illustration of an exemplary methodin FIG. 9, the genetic merit scorecard system generates a genetic meritscorecard and determines the relative market value for a sale group.This system can be configured to accept payment in return for theseservices. In the auction system, described through an illustration of anexemplary method in FIG. 10, the genetic merit interface allows forpayments from the buyer, to the entity generating the genetic scorecard,or to the auctioneering entity, or to the seller. In the brokeringsystem, described through an illustration of an exemplary method in FIG.11, the buyer through the genetic merit interface on the buyer computer,and the seller of the sale group, through the genetic merit interface onthe remote computers, can access payment mechanisms to the genetic meritscorecard system. Payment mechanisms, include for example, electronicchecks (ACH), paper checks by U.S. mail, debit cards, credit cards, giftcards, coupon card, coupon, debit cards by U.S. mail, credit cards byU.S. mail, Internet cash, Internet payment mechanisms such as PayPal,and any other payment mechanism now known or herein after developed asis known and understood by those skilled in the art.

According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the geneticmerit scorecard system can include, for example, a payment receiver. Thepayment receiver can, for example, be configured to receive notice of,and confirm payment for, a user's customized genetic merit scorecard orrelative market value determination for a sale group. The paymentreceiver can, for example, be configured to receive notice of a payment,and confirm payment, for a sale group by a buyer using the auctionsystem or the brokering system. For example, the payment receiver can beadapted to interface with a computers or servers associated with a bank,an Automated Clearing House (ACH) network or processor, a pre-paid cardprocessor, a credit-card processor, a debit-card processor, ageneralized payment processor, an Internet or e-cash payment processor,or any other payment processor as is known and understood by thoseskilled in the art. As is known and understood by those skilled in theart, ACH is the name of an electronic network for financial transactionsin the United States and is regulated by the Federal Reserve. Responsiveto such interfacing with a payment processor, the payment receiver canconfirm that payment for the customized genetic merit scorecard orrelative market value determination for a sale group has been receivedfrom the user and store a record of such payment in the database.Responsive to the payment receiver confirming payment, the genetic meritscorecard system can, for example, generate the customized genetic meritscorecard or relative market value for the sale group and store anyinformation related to the customized products in the respectivedatabase.

According to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, thegenetic merit scorecard computer 700 can be a server and can include,for example, any type of mainframe, physical appliance, or personalcomputing device such as rack server, mainframe, desktop computer, orlaptop computer, dedicated in whole or in part to running one or moreservices to serve the needs or requests of client programs which may ormay not be running on the same computer. The genetic merit scorecardcomputer 700 can be, for example, a dedicated software/hardware system(i.e., a software service running on a dedicated computer) such as anapplication server, web server, database server, file server, homeserver, or standalone server. As one skilled in the art will appreciate,though the genetic merit scorecard computer 700 is shown in some of thediagrams as a single server, it is possible for remote computers 720,auction computers 750, and buyer computers 740 to interface with aseparate web server, application server, or network server to access thefunctionality of the genetic merit scorecard computer 700, for example,through the communications network 710 or other network options, andsuch a configuration may be preferred for certain large-scaleimplementations. According to various exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention, the auction computer 750 can be a server and caninclude, for example, any type of mainframe, physical appliance, orpersonal computing device such as rack server, mainframe, desktopcomputer, or laptop computer, dedicated in whole or in part to runningone or more services to serve the needs or requests of client programswhich may or may not be running on the same computer. As one skilled inthe art will appreciate, though the auction computer 750 is shown insome of the diagrams as a single server, it is possible for remotecomputers 720, the genetic merit scorecard computer 700, and buyercomputers 740 to interface with a separate web server, applicationserver, or network server to access the functionality of the auctioncomputer 750, for example, through the communications network 710 orother network options, and such a configuration may be preferred forcertain large-scale implementations.

In order to provide the ability to host multiple web and databaseservers in a web farm, the genetic merit scorecard system can include alocal traffic manager (LTM), such as the Big-IP LTM from F5, to serve asa web-platform core. The LTM can deliver high availability, improvedperformance, application security, and access control services toapplications served by the genetic merit scorecard server. The LTMremoves single points of failure and virtualizes the network andapplications using industry-leading L7 intelligence. The LTM caninclude, for example, rich static and dynamic load balancing methods,dynamic ratio, least connections, and observed load balancing. The LTMcan further ensure always-on status, provide scalability, and providemanagement ease.

The genetic merit scorecard computer 700 and the auction computers 750can further include a non-transitory memory or more than onenon-transitory memories. Non-transitory memory can be configured tostore data, including computer program product or products, whichinclude instructions for execution on the processor. Non-transitorymemory can include both non-volatile memory, e.g., hard disks, flashmemory, optical disks, and the like, and volatile memory, e.g., SRAM,DRAM, and SDRAM as required to support embodiments of the instantinvention. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, though thenon-transitory memory is depicted on, e.g., a motherboard, of thegenetic merit scorecard computer 700 or the auction computers 750, thenon-transitory memory may also be a separate component or device, e.g.,flash memory, connected to the genetic merit scorecard computer 700 orthe auction computers 750 through the input/output units. As one skilledin the art will understand, the program product or products, along withone or more databases, data libraries, data tables, data fields, orother data records can be stored either in non-transitory memory or inseparate memory (also non-transitory), for example, associated with astorage medium such as database, positioned in communication with thelivestock insurance computer through the I/O devices. Non-transitorymemory can further include drivers, modules, libraries, or enginesallowing livestock insurance computer to function as a dedicatedsoftware/hardware system (i.e., a software service running on adedicated computer) such as an application server, web server, databaseserver, file server, home server, standalone server.

The memory of a remote computer, a buyer computer, and other computersused in embodiments of the invention, for example, can further includeapplications, drivers, modules, libraries, or engines that allow thecomputers to have interactive client-side interface capabilities,including, for example a web browser application, such as Microsoft®Internet Explorer® by Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash., havingcapabilities for processing interactive content, such as Java,JavaScript, or Flash plug-ins or scripts. Those having skill in the artwill appreciate that interactive interfaces, such as the genetic meritinterface, the buyer interface, and the payment graphical userinterface, may be in whole or in part dynamically generated at a servercomputer, such as the genetic merit computer, or at one of the one ormore remote computers adapted to be in communication with the geneticmerit computer, using server-side processing (such as PHP, ASP, ASP.NET)and delivered to the producer computer in static mark-up language, suchas HTML, for display at the remote computer using the web browser and adisplay peripheral device. Those having skill in the art will furtherappreciate that interactive interfaces, such as the genetic meritinterface, the buyer interface, and the payment graphical userinterface, may be in whole or in part statically generated at a server,such as the genetic merit computer, or at one of the one or morecomputers adapted to be in communication with the genetic meritcomputer, and delivered to the remote computer or the buyer computer forprocessing by the remote computer or the buyer computer usingclient-side processing (such as Java, JavaScript, or Flash) for displayat the remote computer using the web browser and the display peripheraldevice.

As one skilled in the art will appreciate, and is perhaps bestillustrated by FIGS. 9, 10, and 11, both memory and the processor canalso include, for example, components (e.g., drivers, libraries, andsupporting hardware connections) that allow the computers to beconnected to a display peripheral device and an input peripheral devicethat allow a user direct access to the processor and the memory. Thedisplay peripheral device can be, for example, a computer monitor, whichmay also be known in the art as a display or a visual display unit. Thedisplay peripheral device also can include, for example, a displaydevice, which in modern monitors is typically a thin film transistorliquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) thin panel, while older monitors use acathode ray tube. The display peripheral device can include the displaydevice, the circuitry, and the physical enclosure. The displayperipheral device can be used, in connection with interactiveclient-side interface capabilities residing in memory, to displayinteractive interfaces to a user at the remote computer or the buyercomputer, such as the genetic merit interface, the buyer interface, andthe payment graphical user interface. As discussed in greater detailabove, the display peripheral device can also be a PDA and can function,at the same time, as a display peripheral device, an input peripheraldevice, and an output peripheral device.

The input peripheral device can be, for example, a computer keyboard,computer mouse, a touch screen (such as a touch screen device comprisingdisplay peripheral device), a pen device, character recognition device,voice recognition device, or a similar input device that will be knownto those having skill in the art that allows the user at the remotecomputer or the buyer computer, through mechanical, electrical, ormechanical and electrical means to send discrete or continuous signalsto the processor. A status or other output associated with inputperipheral device can be displayed at the display peripheral device,such as, for example, mouse pointer or a keyboard prompt. The output ofinput peripheral device can be received by the processor, for example,as a selection or a command associated with an interactive client-sideinterface, such as the genetic merit interface, the buyer interface, andthe payment graphical user interface. An interactive client-sideinterface may be configured, for example, to receive a selection or acommand from the input peripheral and, responsive thereto, transmitdata, including content input by the user at the input peripheraldevice, as well as other content as directed by the client-sideinterface, to other servers or systems through the input/output unit.

According to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, thecommunications network 710 can connect the genetic merit scorecardcomputer to the remote computers, the buyer computers, and can connectother various networked components together. As one skilled in the artwill appreciate, the communications network 710 can connect all of thesystem components using a local area network (“LAN”) or wide areanetwork (“WAN”), or a combination thereof. For example, the geneticmerit scorecard computer 700, its servers and the genetic merit database730 can be privately networked, or privately tunneled over a publicnetwork, to allow for faster, more secure communication and better datasynchronization between computing nodes. For example genetic meritscorecard computer 700, its servers and the genetic merit database 730or database server can be networked using a LAN, with or one of the oneor more auction computers 750 adapted to be in communication with thegenetic merit scorecard computer 700 using a WAN. Accordingly, thoughnot all such configurations are depicted, all are within the scope ofvarious exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

Communications network 710 can include, for example, any public orprivate network communication paths to support the communications sentand received among various components of the genetic merit scorecardsystem, including but not limited to the genetic merit scorecardcomputer 700, the remote computers 720, and the buyer computers. Suchnetworks include the public Internet, a private intranet, a virtualprivate network (VPN) tunneled across the public Intranet, for example,using a network security protocol, such as Netscape's Secure SocketLayer (SSL) protocol. The communications network 710 can be, forexample, a telecommunication network including a wire-based telephonenetwork, pager network, cellular network, or a combination thereof, anda computer network. Accordingly, the communications network 710 can beimplemented, in whole or in part, over wireless communications network.In addition, according to various exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention, the wireless communications network can be implemented overany of various wireless communication technologies, for example: codedivision multiplexed access (“CDMA”), time division multiplexed access(“TDMA”), frequency division multiplexed access (“FDMA”), orthogonalfrequency division multiplexed access (“OFDMA”), global system formobile communications (“GSM”), Analog Advanced Mobile Phone System(“AMPS”), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (“UMTS”),802.11a/b/g/n (“WiFi”), World Interoperability for Microwave Access(“WiMAX”), or Bluetooth.

FIGS. 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D are a series of flow charts depictingcomponents of an exemplary computer program used in the genetic meritscorecard system according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention. As illustrated by an exemplary embodiment in FIG. 12A, thecomputer program generates 101 a genetic merit interface at the remotecomputers. Through this interface, a user can login to the genetic meritscorecard system 102 if he is already a registered user. If he is not aregistered user, a new user record 103 is created. The user can thenproceed to access his choices 104 of accessing an existing genetic meritscorecard 105 or of generating a new scorecard. A user can access anexisting genetic merit scorecard 106 and exit the system. If he wishesto obtain a genetic merit scorecard for a sale group, he is presented107 with options of either entering the EPD 110 for the sale group orchoosing 108 from the EPD. If he elects 109 to choose EPD from thegenetic merit database 730, he is presented with various genetic meritsand their corresponding EPD applicable to the sale group. In certainembodiments of the invention, a user may fill out a release formauthorizing the release of information on registered animals in the salegroup. This form is usually specific to each breed. The breedorganization will then send a list of the registered animals with thecorresponding EPD, and this information may be used to calculate therelative market value of the sale group. The user may be presented witha series of potential sires as the ancestors of the sale group from thegenetic merit database 730 and the user can make appropriate selections.In certain embodiments of the invention, the user is asked to providemore information 111 regarding the sale group, like environmentalinformation 112, management information 114, nutritional information116, and performance information 118. The user can either skip the stepor provide the relevant environmental information 113, managementinformation 115, nutritional information 117, and performanceinformation 119. This is only an exemplary embodiment. The computerprogram can be designed to accommodate more inputs, including but notlimited to, the DNA information associated with the sale group, sourceof the sale group, or age of the sale group. As illustrated by anexemplary embodiment in FIG. 12C, once the user inputs all thisinformation, the program is configured to run simulation modelsresponsive to these inputs and calculate economic outcomes 149. Theprogram may use 150 current and historical data from the genetic meritdatabase, as described elsewhere in this application. In certainembodiments of the invention, steps 149 and 151 may not be executedduring the calculation of the relative market value for a particularsale group. The multivariate regression is used to estimate the βperiodically but not necessarily on every sale group. In certainembodiments of the invention, steps 149, 150, 151, and 152 may bereplaced with steps from FIGS. 3B-3F. FIGS. 3B-3F describe otherexemplary computer implemented methods to determine the relative marketvalue of a sale group. In other embodiments of the invention, thegenetic merit may be directly utilized in the simulation model. Incertain embodiments of the invention, the genetic merit estimates andother information are utilized in steps 150 and 152, and the relativemarket value and the genetic merit scorecard are calculated for the salegroup. The program then determines the relative market value 152, asshown by an illustrative example. Then the genetic merit scorecard isgenerated 153 and the user is notified about its availability 154. Theuser is then offered an agreement 155 and a list of payment options 156to pay for the service. Once the user sends his acceptance 157 and apayment 158, the system verifies the payment and accepts it 159. Thegenetic merit scorecard is sent to the user 160 in any output format ofhis choice. The relative market value of a sale group and the geneticmerit scorecard may be received by a user in a variety of formats,including but not limited to, paper print-outs, graphical or textdisplays on a computer or mobile device, electronic messages like ane-mail or text, online formats, and other equivalent formats.

As illustrated by an exemplary embodiment in FIG. 12B, the user of thegenetic merit scorecard system can purchase a sale group 120 through oneof two exemplary non-limiting ways. If the user is interested inpurchasing a sale group through an online auction 121, he can view 122all available sale groups, the associated genetic merit scorecards andrelative market values. The program allows the user to place a bid 123on a sale group of his choice. If the bid is valid, 124 in that it meetsthe requirements set by the auctioneering entity, then the bid isaccepted and placed 126 in the auction database. If the bid is notvalid, then the user is notified 125. The valid bid in the database isthen compared to the other bids 128 in the database. If the bid is lowerthan other bids or the seller's reserve price 129, the user is given anoption 161 of purchasing the sale group at a fixed price set by theseller or the system, also known as the “buy now” price. In case ofthese unsuccessful bids, and if the user is not interested in purchasingthe sale group at the fixed price, the user is notified 130. If user iswilling to pay the fixed price set 161 by the seller or the system, thenbidding closes and the user is notified that his bid was successful 132,and a transaction with the seller of the sale group is initiated (145 onFIG. 12C). If the bid is the highest bid for the sale group 131, but thetime period for submitting bids 162 is not over, then the bid is backplaced for consideration. But if bid is the highest for the sale groupand the time period for bidding is over, then the user is notified thathis bid was successful 132, and a transaction with the seller of thesale group is initiated (145 on FIG. 12C). The user is offered anagreement 145 and a list of payment options 146 to pay for the serviceand/or for the purchase of the sale group. Once the user sends hisacceptance and a payment 147, the system verifies the payment and sendsit to the seller for his acceptance 148, and the deal is consummated.The agreements, the relative market value of a sale group and thegenetic merit scorecard may be received by a user in a variety offormats, including but not limited to, paper print-outs, graphical ortext displays on a computer or mobile device, electronic messages likean e-mail or text, and other equivalent formats. The genetic meritscorecard system according to various exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention can also be adapted to distribute payments to thesellers of the sale groups responsive to receiving payments from thebuyers.

The exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 12B also allows for a userto purchase a sale group without the auction process. Here the user ispresented with the choice of entering individualized purchasingrequirements 133 or choosing requirements set in the system 136. If theuser choses to input his own requirements, then the program allows forthe creation of a user profile 134 and the input of purchasingrequirements for the sale group from the user 135. The user can alsochoose existing purchasing requirements present in the system 137. Oncedata is received in the broker database regarding the purchasingrequirements from the user 138, then the data is compared against theinformation for the sale groups present in the genetic merit database139. Once available sale groups meeting the user's purchasingrequirements are identified 140, a confirmation process is initiated toverify that the sale group is still available 141. If the sale group isno longer available for sale, then the user is notified regarding theunsuccessful process and his requirements are stored for futurenotification 144, for example, if a sale group becomes available. Anotification is sent to the seller to confirm the continued availabilityof one or more sale groups 142 and if availability is confirmed by theseller 143, then a transaction with the seller of the sale group isinitiated (145 in FIG. 12C). In certain embodiments of the invention,the seller is notified of the interest from the user, and the system maynot contain modules facilitating the sales of the sale groups. In otherembodiments of the invention, for example as shown in FIG. 12C, the useris offered an agreement 145 and a list of payment options 146 to pay forthe service and/or for the purchase of the sale group. Once the usersends his acceptance and a payment 147, the system verifies the paymentand sends it to the seller for his acceptance 148, and the deal isconsummated. The agreements, the relative market value of a sale groupand the genetic merit scorecard may be received by a user in a varietyof formats, including but not limited to, paper print-outs, graphical ortext displays on a computer or mobile device, electronic messages likean e-mail or text, and other equivalent formats. The genetic meritscorecard system according to various exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention can also be adapted to distribute payments to thesellers of the sale groups responsive to receiving payments from thebuyers.

In certain embodiments of the invention, if the user does not wish toenter individualized purchasing requirements 133 or choose requirementsset in the system 136, he can view 163 all the available sale groups andtheir associated information, including the genetic merit scorecards,and relative market value in FIG. 12D. In certain embodiments of theinvention, the users may be buyers, who have registered with the geneticmerit scorecard system. These registered users may view a “show list” ofall available sale groups and their associated information, includingthe genetic merit scorecards, and relative market value. These listsprovide information associated with the sale group, for example thegenetic merit scorecard 65, shown in FIG. 6, and Reputation FeederCattle Certificate, shown in FIG. 7. In the exemplary embodimentillustrated in FIG. 12D, upon viewing information related to the salegroups, the user can choose to purchase 164 one or more sale groups, andthe system will provide further information 165 regarding location, timeand other details regarding the sale of the particular sale groups. Theuser can then choose to initiate purchase transaction 166 with theseller, or exit the system. As shown in an exemplary embodiment in FIG.12C, the user is then offered an agreement and a list of payment options146 to pay for the service and/or for the purchase of the sale group.Once the user sends his acceptance and a payment 147, the systemverifies the payment and sends it to the seller for his acceptance 148,and the deal is consummated. The agreements, the relative market valueof a sale group and the genetic merit scorecard may be received by auser in a variety of formats, including but not limited to, paperprint-outs, graphical or text displays on a computer or mobile device,electronic messages like an e-mail or text, and other equivalentformats. The genetic merit scorecard system according to variousexemplary embodiments of the present invention can also be adapted todistribute payments to the sellers of the sale groups responsive toreceiving payments from the buyers.

It is important to note that while embodiments of the present inventionhave been described in the context of a fully functional system, thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that the mechanism of at leastportions of the present invention or aspects thereof are capable ofbeing distributed in the form of a computer-readable program productstored in a tangible computer medium and a computer-readable medium ofinstructions in a variety of forms for execution on a processor,processors, or the like, and that the present invention applies equallyregardless of the particular type of signal-bearing media used toactually carry out the distribution. Note, the computer readable programproduct can be in the form of microcode, programs, routines, andsymbolic languages that provide a specific set or sets of orderedoperations that control the functioning of the hardware and direct itsoperation, as known and understood by those skilled in the art. Examplesof computer readable media include, but are not limited to: nonvolatilehard-coded type media such as read only memories (ROMs), CD-ROMs, andDVD-ROMs, or erasable, electrically programmable read only memories(EEPROMs), recordable type media such as floppy disks, hard disk drives,CD-R/RWs, DVD-RAMs. DVD-R/RWs, DVD+R/RWs, flash drives, memory sticks,HD-DVDs, mini disks, laser disks, Blu-ray disks, and other newer typesof memories, and transmission type media such as digital and analogcommunication links.

The disclosures of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. Nos.61/811,720, filed on Apr. 13, 2013, 61/822,736, filed on May 13, 2013,and 61/860,686, filed on Jul. 31, 2013, are all incorporated herein byreference in their entireties.

Moreover, the foregoing has broadly outlined certain objectives,features, and technical advantages of the present invention and adetailed description of the invention so that embodiments of theinvention may be better understood in light of features and advantagesof the invention as described herein, which form the subject of certainclaims of the invention. It should be appreciated that the conceptionand specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis formodifying or designing other structures for carrying out the samepurposes of the present invention. It should also be realized that suchequivalent constructions do not depart from the invention as set forthin the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to becharacteristic of the invention, both as to its organization and methodof operation, together with further objects and advantages are betterunderstood from the description above when considered in connection withthe accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however,that such description and figures are provided for the purpose ofillustration and description only and are not intended as a definitionof the limits of the present invention. It will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that various modifications and changes can be madewithin the spirit and scope of the invention as described in theforegoing specification.

That claimed is:
 1. An online genetic merit scorecard system, the systemcomprising: one or more processors; an input/output unit adapted to bein communication with the one or more processors; one or more geneticmerit databases in communication with the one or more processors tostore and associate a plurality of genetic merit estimates with aplurality of economic weighting factors; one or more electronicinterfaces positioned to display an online genetic merit scorecard anddefining one or more genetic merit interfaces; and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium positioned in communication with the one ormore processors and having one or more computer programs stored thereonincluding a set of instructions that when executed by one or moreprocessors cause the one or more processors to perform operations of:generating the genetic merit interface to display to a user thereof oneor more online genetic merit scorecards, the genetic merit interfaceallowing an input of a plurality of genetic merit estimates associatedwith a sale group, the sale group including cattle that are fed andharvested for beef production; determining relative market value andranking of the genetic merits of the sale group responsive to receivingthe plurality of genetic merit estimates from the one or more geneticmerit databases; and outputting to the one or more electronic interfacesthe online genetic merit scorecard for the sale group responsive todetermining the relative market value and the ranking of the geneticmerits of the sale group, the online genetic merit scorecard includingthe relative market value and one or more rankings of genetic merits ofthe sale group.
 2. A genetic merit scorecard system as defined in claim1, wherein the online genetic merit scorecard further includes one ormore of: documentation of calf management practices associated with thesale group positioned to be readily accessible to a user of the one ormore electronic interfaces, and source and age identification of thesale group through an USDA approved process positioned to be readilyaccessible to a user of the one or more electronic interfaces.
 3. Agenetic merit scorecard system as defined in claim 1, wherein theplurality of genetic merit estimates associated with the sale groupinclude genetic merit estimates of at least two of the following:average daily gain, carcass weight, marbling, back fat thickness, feedto gain ratio, ribeye area, yield grade, tenderness, percentage ofchoice, pedigree, breed effects, feed intake, animal health, weaningweight, post weaning weight gain, maintenance energy, maternal merit,birth weight, or residual feed intake, residual average daily gain, orany linear or non-linear combination of any two or more of these traits.4. A genetic merit scorecard system as defined in claim 1, wherein theplurality of genetic merit estimates associated with the sale groupcomprises one or more of genetic merit estimates of feed intake, weaningweight, post-weaning weight gain, carcass weight, marbling, ribeye area,and back fat thickness.
 5. A genetic merit scorecard system as definedin claim 1, wherein the one or more computer programs stored thereonfurther includes a set of instructions that when executed by one or moreprocessors cause the one or more processors to further performoperations of: determining relative market value for the sale groupresponsive to receiving the plurality of genetic merit estimates by useof one or more multivariate non-linear regression equations based on theplurality of genetic merit estimates.
 6. A genetic merit scorecardsystem as defined in claim 1, wherein the plurality of genetic meritestimates associated with the sale group comprises one or more geneticmerit estimates obtained from the relatives of the sale group.
 7. Agenetic merit scorecard system as defined in claim 6, wherein therelatives of the sale group comprise one or more sires of the salegroup.
 8. A genetic merit scorecard system as defined in claim 6,wherein the relatives of the sale group comprise one or more sires ofthe sale group and one or more grandsires of the sale group.
 9. Anonline genetic merit scorecard system, the system comprising: one ormore processors; an input/output unit adapted to be in communicationwith the one or more processors; one or more genetic merit databases incommunication with the one or more processors to store and associate aplurality of genetic merit estimates with a plurality of economicoutcomes and a plurality of economic weighting factors; andnon-transitory computer-readable medium positioned in communication withthe one or more processors and having one or more computer programsstored thereon including a set of instructions that when executed by oneor more processors cause the one or more processors to performoperations of: utilizing one or more electronic interfaces positioned todisplay an online genetic merit scorecard and defining one or moregenetic merit interfaces, the genetic merit interface allowing a userthereof to input a plurality of genetic merit estimates associated withthe sale group, the sale group including cattle that are fed andharvested for beef production; determining, by one or more processors, aplurality of economic weighting factors responsive to receiving theplurality of genetic merit estimates from the genetic merit interfacesand economic outcomes from the one or more genetic merit databases;determining, by one or more processors, relative market value andranking of the genetic merits of the sale group responsive to receivingthe plurality of genetic merit estimates and the plurality of economicweighting factors from the one or more genetic merit databases; andoutputting to the one or more electronic interfaces the online geneticmerit scorecard for the sale group responsive to determining therelative market value and the ranking of the genetic merits of the salegroup, the online genetic merit scorecard including the relative marketvalue and one or more rankings of genetic merits of the sale group. 10.A genetic merit scorecard system as defined in claim 9, wherein theonline genetic merit scorecard further includes one or more of:documentation of calf management practices associated with the salegroup positioned to be readily accessible to a user of the one or moreelectronic interfaces, and source and age identification of the salegroup through an USDA approved process positioned to be readilyaccessible to a user of the one or more electronic interfaces.
 11. Agenetic merit scorecard system as defined in claim 9, wherein theplurality of genetic merit estimates associated with the sale groupinclude genetic merit estimates of at least two of the following:average daily gain, carcass weight, marbling, back fat thickness, feedto gain ratio, ribeye area, yield grade, tenderness, percentage ofchoice, pedigree, breed effects, feed intake, animal health, weaningweight, post weaning weight gain, maintenance energy, maternal merit,birth weight, or residual feed intake, residual average daily gain, orany linear or non-linear combination of any two or more of these traits.12. A genetic merit scorecard system as defined in claim 9, wherein theplurality of genetic merit estimates associated with the sale groupcomprises one or more of genetic merit estimates of feed intake, weaningweight, post-weaning weight gain, carcass weight, marbling, ribeye area,and back fat thickness.
 13. A genetic merit scorecard system as definedin claim 9, wherein the plurality of genetic merit estimates associatedwith the sale group comprises genetic merit estimates obtained from therelatives of the sale group.
 14. A genetic merit scorecard system asdefined in claim 13, wherein the relatives of the sale group compriseone or more sires of the sale group.
 15. A genetic merit scorecardsystem as defined in claim 13, wherein the relatives of the sale groupcomprise one or more sires of the sale group and one or more grandsiresof the sale group.
 16. A computer-implemented method to determinerelative market value of a sale group, the sale group including cattlethat are fed and harvested for beef production, the method comprising:determining, by one or more processors, a plurality of economicweighting factors responsive to a plurality of genetic merit estimatesassociated with the sale group and one or more economic outcomes;determining, by one or more processors, relative market value andranking of the genetic merits of the sale group responsive to theplurality of genetic merit estimates and the plurality of economicweighting factors; and outputting to one or more electronic interfaces,positioned to display an online genetic merit scorecard to therebydefine one or more genetic merit interfaces, the online genetic meritscorecard for the sale group responsive to determining the relativemarket value and the ranking of the genetic merits of the sale group,the online genetic merit scorecard including the relative market valueand one or more rankings of genetic merits of the sale group beingdisplayed on the one or more genetic merit interfaces.
 17. A method asdefined in claim 16, wherein the plurality of genetic merit estimatesassociated with the sale group comprises one or more of genetic meritestimates of feed intake, weaning weight, post-weaning weight gain,carcass weight, marbling, ribeye area, and back fat thickness.
 18. Amethod as defined in claim 16, wherein the plurality of genetic meritestimates associated with the sale group comprises genetic meritestimates obtained from the relatives of the sale group.
 19. A method asdefined in claim 18, wherein the relatives of the sale group compriseone or more sires of the sale group.
 20. A method as defined in claim18, wherein the relatives of the sale group comprise one or more siresof the sale group and one or more grandsires of the sale group.